Working Memory
&
Speech Therapy
Working memory (WM) refers to the memory needed to hear something, remember it, and then use it to complete a task.
Example: A child is presented with the question “what is 2 + 2?” To answer it, he or she uses WM to process the question, do the calculation, and then give an answer.
Language abilities highly depend on this type of memory.
Memory Techniques To Practice At Home
A child can learn memory techniques at home and at a young age. Let’s start good habits early!
Techniques to learn:
- Visualization: Make a mental picture of something you hear. Now, you have 2 ways to recall information: a visual image and the auditory message.
- Rehearsal: This may be the most common technique. To remember something, repeat it over and over and over out loud!
- Chunking: Remembering items in groups is easier than remembering items separately. It is easier to remember a phone number in 2 chunks, 555-2929, instead of 7 separate numbers 5552929.
- Visual Reminders: Visual reminders include post-it-notes, calendars, schedules, alarm clocks, etc...
Memory Games
1. Modified Simon Says: A leader says a direction “Simon says touch your toes.” Before taking a turn, the other player has to repeat the direction out loud, at least once! This is practicing “rehearsal.”
2. Zoo Game: This is great for SOOOO many reasons. Talk about animals in the zoo while practicing visualization. What does your animal look like? What does your animal do? Where does your animal live? What is your animal doing right now? Make it silly or real.
3. Visual Reminders: This isn’t a game, but I had to mention it. Make a morning schedule out of pictures. Print pictures for getting dressed, eating breakfast, brushing teeth, playing a game, etc... Your child can “refer” to the chart to “remember” what is next! Have your child help make the schedule in the morning. For free daily schedules, click here.
4. Memory!: The simple game of memory works on visualization without even trying. You can even practice saying, out loud, where a picture is located (rehearsal).
They key here is to “over practice” memory techniques hoping they will become automatic. So squeeze in lots of practice throughout the day.
Working Memory & Language Development
Working memory (WM) affects language development. When we hear sentences, the brain has to hold on to the information, process it, and properly store it.
This processing happens at the sound level and at the word level. At the sound level, our brain decodes sounds and then uses that “decoded message” to decide what word it just heard.
At the word level, our brain must hear words, make sense of them, put them together, and then remember them long enough to complete the direction.
Children with WM difficulties may appear to have attention or behavior issues. Learning memory compensations will help to decrease attention issues and improve language skills. Memory is extremely important for academic success.
Can Memory Improve Through Therapy?
This is a controversial question. My answer is no! Some people would disagree and a lot of those people are usually selling an expensive computer program promising a cure.
I would save my money if I were you and AVOID them!
Instead, you must compensate, compensate, and compensate some more!
Where To Go Next?
Practice the strategies listed above during daily activities like helping mommy remember the grocery list.
Also, explore other compensatory strategies such as calendars, alarms, highlights. One thing that technology is AWESOME for is compensating for working memory deficits.
ONE YEAR of FREE MATERIALS
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There will be a variety of language and articulation materials that can be used to support listening, learning, speaking, and memory skills. I will also give tips on how to use the materials best.