At a loss as to how to help ds

[Sunart]

My son is 7 and one of the youngest in his year. He was premature, born at 32 weeks. I have always suspected he has adhd, the inattentive type rather than hyperactive. He is very bright and curious but just cannot focus in school. Yesterday we got his mid term report (not in the UK). He has scored the top or second level (A or A+) for every test he did although there are two with no score because he didn't complete the test. His teacher's comment says he has many capabilities as shown by the tests but he doesn't display these abilities in class. She says he lies his head on his desk, slumps in his chair, plays with items on his desk. He appears very tired after he does do any work but most exercises remain unfinished. We have seen the GP who isn't particularly concerned and we are in the process of having the school psychologist observe him. When we ask him about why he can't do the work, he says it's boring and he can't get his brain to switch on. If he does get a diagnosis of adhd, what can be done to help him with his focus? I'm worried that he's going to be made to repeat the year and that he's now labelled in class. He often talks about how he can't do things like other children, and he is getting totally demotivated to learning and turned off school. When we have spoken to the teacher we very much get the impression that they think he has to change rather than style of teaching etc.
If anyone has has anything similar with their child, has anything helped or have they improved their focus with age?
I should add that his behaviour is fine, except for the lack of focus. He's polite and kind and doesn't disrupt class.

My DS has ADHD inattentive type. He wasn't diagnosed until he was in his teens, but the meds have been life-changing for him. Talking about his time in primary school, he says that he spent all of his energy on looking like he was listening. He's very academic, so he did well, but hated it. Now studying at a really high level with the meds and academically thriving.

Do you mind me asking what the medication is that he takes? Does it have any side effects? Is it something he'll need to take for life?

He takes a version of Ritalin (methylphenidate) - currently Equasim, slow release.
It has some side effects - it can depress appetite, so we have to make sure he's getting enough calories. But that's about it. It is fast acting, with no withdrawal effect, so it can be used in a very targeted way. My son takes it pretty much every day, and only uses the slow release. Other people only take it when they need to concentrate, so they don't take it on holidays and weekends for example. Or you can use the non-slow release which gives about 4-6 hours of effect, which is just enough to get through the school day. It's a process of experimentation to find which meds work for you, but there's no big titration up and down (like with anti depressants).

Thank you, that's good to know that medication could be an option. It only really at school that the lack of concentration is an issue. It's so frustrating because I know he has so much potential.