Working Memory Help

Programs for Working Memory

Students with any kind of processing deficits, however minor, typically need working memory exercises. If the quality of visual or auditory input is poor or it is coming at a child too fast to process in real time, much will be missed and daily opportunities to exercise and expand working memory capacity is lost. And so working memory skills are most often under-developed.

Our programs assume this to be the case and so incorporate a number of powerful exercises that develop working working memory, building capacity in tiny incremental steps. We also build visual and auditory processing skills so that more information and can be captured more accurately and completely in real time -- and so working memory is exercised more fully in daily life. Many children with working memory difficulties also have ADD or attention difficulties, another target of our individualized program if merited.

Memory Gains From Our Program

Gemm offers two cognitive programs that help improve working memory in different ways. Fast ForWord software works on language processing related memory deficits, needed to follow instructions and in reading.
Learn more about Fast ForWord

BrainWare Safari addresses visual working memory, short and longer term memory, sequential and spatial memory issues.
Learn more about BrainWare Safari

Gains from working memory exercises include:

Better grades and test scores. The improved ability to retain the question while scanning multiple choice answers is a major source of better grades.

Improved reading comprehension Improved working memory helps retention of material while reading and cuts down on the need to read and re-read text.

Improved focus and attention stamina. Retaining more of what a teacher says makes it more interesting and so easier to stay engaged.

Able to follow instructions and directions. If you cannot hold more than 1-2 pieces of information at a time, every-day life is challenging, especially for younger once where so much of what they learn comes through spoken language. Our program's working memory exercises work directly on this skill and generally it is one of the earliest changes parents report to us, a new-found ability to follow their direction.

Working Memory Definition

Working memory is the short-duration, limited-capacity memory system that simultaneously stores and manipulates information. It is used all day every day to follow the drift of a conversation or instructions, and in reading comprehension.

Working memory is a background, harder to detect cause of learning and reading comprehension difficulties for many of our students. Limits in working memory are important because working memory is the mental process of holding information in a short-term, readily accessible, easily manipulated form where it can be combined, rearranged and stored more productively.
Learn More About Working Memory Here

Symptoms of Working Memory Difficulty

Symptoms of a working memory issue include:

• A need to constantly read and re-read text
  
• Difficulty following multi-step directions
  
• Difficulty staying engaged in class
  
• Test anxiety, especially on multiple choice tests
  
• Needs more time and repetition
  
• Inconsistent performance
  
• Lack of focus and attention deficit disorders

Working memory deficits are closely related to attention because if an individual cannot hold information as it is coming at them, it is harder to stay engaged. These children tend to be more easily distracted and are often diagnosed as having an attention deficit or ADD.