why can my child pay attention when he plays video games and watchs TV but struggles on focusing wit

Children who struggle with ADD and ADHD suffer from lack of concentration abilities.  When they are playing video games they are coordinating concentration with coordination which demands focus.  Call it, if you will, the ability to "zone in" on a particular activity.  Because they are struggling to coordinate hand, vision, sound, sight, as well as strategic planning, they are "zoned in" and not allowing outside interferences to affect their train of thought.  Playing video games is actually an excellent form of concentration building.  You should encourage him to play his video games without interruption in order to strengthen these abililties.  My son was diagnosed 2 years ago with ADHD.  I used to have to sit with him in Middle School just to keep him focussed enough to get through class.  I was advised to encourage him to play video games to strengthen his ability to focus.  I purchased him a gaming system and several games and he plays them almost daily.  That combined with his medication have greatly increased his abilities to focus.  He can now sit in class and is usually the first one finished with his assignments.  When doing homework, he has learned to get rid of any distractions, such as TV, music, friends, phones and is very successful in completing his assignments in no time at all.  I'm very proud of his accomplishment and highly recommend these techniques to strengthen the progress of any child so diagnosed.  Don't give up.  My prayers are with you.

Frustrated at his classwork and homework. He is an above aaverage student however his lack of organization is killing his grades.

think of the things you love no problem with sitting for 3 hours at a great movie. now think of things you dont embrace not the same passion no passion for u is a problem that can be worked through but your son and me gets a differnt message the ends dont jutifiy the means.after 53 years i still cant turn it off and on. you must be aware that add is normal action that is present in us all but with all the turmoil.  no one likes homework cleaning chores ect but add makes the unpleasent very very repeat very easy to ignore if not adreesed it will leed to many problems that will compound the problem think small steps with a solid game plan most people take one step at a time when add is present 1/3 step at a time good luck and be supportive also add has many advantages. you dont think on the same plane as most use that has an advantage has much as this sounds crazy i think at the end of the day i am glad i have add  no better example can stand this strong name one other person in the world when asked what are your 2 favorite singers ozzy ozbourne and louis armstrong

ADD is not necessarily a focus problem only; it's complicated.  U should read the book Driven to Distraction by Dr. Hallowell.  ADD is also a hyperfocus problem meaning when someone is fixed on something they are hyperfocused and that is during the tv or the video game that is also a part of ADD being hyper focused is not good either.  However u still can't be focusing on simple tasks  when there are 5 thousand things overwhelming u.  I speak from experience.  I noticed a difference with Adderall I have been calmer and more fixed on the small tasks I hate such as dishes and laundry.  Try not makeing ur son feel rushed or presured with simple tasks but allowing him a reward when he completes it.  When he stops doing what he's supose to just nicely and CALMLY say ur not focussing.  Please do the one little thing I asked.  Hope this helps. 

Because a video game or tv show offers instant gratification, instant return in time spent. 

add is all about the things you dont want to do that where the problem is