Working Memory

The Prince Albert Branch of the Learning Disabilities Association of Saskatchewan is presenting a series of articles for those who are living with ADHD, or have family members who are living with ADHD. Our purpose is to inform and assist those with this disability and their families to live better and more successfully. ADHD is most often marked by behaviors as chronic inattention, impulsivity, and frequent hyperactivity. These behaviors are often associated with inconsistent performances of regular routine tasks. Diagnosis most frequently occurs in childhood, but the symptoms for about two thirds continue into adulthood where many adults have adopted coping strategies and skills to lessen their symptoms. The most common treatment following diagnosis is the use of a variety of medications to lessen symptomatic behaviors.

Another of the Executive Functioning skills that ADHD frequently affects is the skill of utilizing Working Memory. Working memory allows a person to remember rules, processes and facts simultaneously and apply that information generally to some action. This is often seen when doing math. You have to remember your basic math facts while adding, subtracting, multiplying, or dividing in a situation involving a math function such as cutting a board or calculating budgets or a myriad of number problems we face every day. Often we have to do this while dealing with phones, children, job requirements or other distractions.

The some solutions require the individual to learn strategies or develop skills to improve their working memory skills. One strategy is to learn to chunk the steps or process into parts, by writing down the steps and completing each step before starting the next. Card games can help individuals practice multi- skilled processes. A card game like ‘Fish’ gives children practice remembering the rules and clues they have learned about other players’ hands. Remembering who has the “4s” can help you win. Making associations such as using mnemonic devices, for example, ROY G BIV to remember the rainbow colors in order helps memory. Some people find visualization as an effective skill to remember steps and processes to achieve a final result. A picture is worth a thousand words. As with most skills and strategies, lots of continuous practice and learning has to occur to achieve and maintain performance improvement.

If you or a family member has ADHD and would like to improve the strategies and skills you employ to improve your life with ADHD you are invited to contact the LDAS PA Branch at 306-922-1071 to arrange a meeting with the ADHD Coaching Team to develop an individualized program based on your specific needs and interests. Also you are welcome to join the Prince Albert ADHD Support Group which meets every second Wednesday 7:30 to 9:00 PM at the LDAS Centre 1106 Central |Ave. Please contact LDAS to pre-register.