My youngest son has just turned 10 and is really having a tough time keeping track of his things. He has always been a bit of a scatter-brain in that he leaves his coat or jacket everywhere, sets down a favorite book and then can't remember where .. etc.. but lately it seems to be really getting worse. I'm at a loss to figure out why.

I don't know if it is because spring is here and he is excited about being outside or what. So far, he has lost two jackets and a sweat shirt (probably somewhere in our yard or neighbors yard), can't find his favorite crystal, left HW material at school .. I think he is lucky his ears are attached to his head.

He has also gotten worse with not completing a task - such as washing hands before dinner. He has always been somewhat creative as to what defines a clean hand .. lol but now it is ridiculus. He comes to the table with what is clearly dirt all over the palm of his hands - and looks right at me and says that yes he did indeed wash his hands. I have to send him back to the sink and he complains the whole time that I'm being too picky.

Feeding the dog has been his chore for over a year now. Lately he has been messy filling the dog's bowl and leaving kernals of food all along the path from the big bag of food in breeseway to the dog dish. When I see the mess I call him back to clean up and he usually says something like, "oh yeah .. I forgot". ??

Its like the wheels are falling off for him but I don't know why. And when I ask him he just tells me that he doesn't know but that he just forgets.

I'm trying to think of strategies to help him keep track or focus - any suggestions ?