Memory Difficulties

Understanding The Different Aspects Of Memory

A number of different memory types are required for learning, and therefore a number of possible memory difficulties can occur. Some memory difficulties are like a lack of RAM in a computer while other memory difficulties are more like a glitch in a hard drive, in storage or “memory banks.”

Involuntary and Voluntary Memory
Involuntary and voluntary memory are as described — remembering something intentionally or not. An example of involuntary memory is when your child learns about numbers when playing cards. Voluntary memory is test preparation or remembering a name.

Prospective and Retrospective Memory
Prospective refers to memory of events, appointments, things to come, while retrospective memory relates to the past.

Nonverbal and Verbal Memory
Nonverbal memory is where you remember something but you don’t speak about it, like an appointment, and verbal memory is where you remember something and speak about it, such as learning a poem to recite.

Sensory Modality-Specific Memory
Sensory modality-specific memory has to do with the recalling of information with a sensory stimulus.

Sensory Long-Term and Short-Term Storage Systems
There are three categories based on time. Sensory storage has to do with an immediate sensation. Long-term memory is stored for years, and short-term memory can be more complex information that is held for a few minutes only.

Working Memory
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.

Working memory is correlated with intelligence and attention skills. The ability to hold and juggle information impacts your capacity for deep understanding, a critical learning skill required for critical thinking.

Your Next Steps

The brain is plastic, meaning memory difficulties can be helped at any age. Our cognitive software programs are able to improve learning efficiency and memory skills. To find out if your child is a candidate for our program, call one of our specialists for a free consult.