Beyond Dyslexia: Working Memory

Introduction

Yesterday, I asked my daughter to go upstairs, brush her teeth, then get her socks and water bottle. She managed to make it up the stairs and back down again with clean teeth, but nothing else. If this sounds familiar, you can blame working memory.

You may have heard the term “working memory” or “short-term memory”, but you may not understand exactly what it is.

Working memory is an often overlooked function of our brains, but it plays a huge role in reading and learning. By the end of this blog, I promise that you will understand working memory in children, and add some new things to your toolbox to support it at home!

What Is Working Memory?

So… what is working memory? Basically, it is the brain’s notepad. Working memory is a combination of the brain’s short-term storage and processing systems. Therefore, it is not only short-term memory, but also the actual processing of that information. Short-term memory is responsible for holding information temporarily, but not really doing anything with it. Working memory is more of a “desktop” where information is temporarily stored, sorted, and manipulated for later use.

Some examples of working memory include looking through your refrigerator and pantry before going to the store, and using that information to guide your shopping and remember what items you need to purchase. Another example could be remembering a story or specific details of an event to recount them later.

How Weak Working Memory Shows Up in Learning

From the previous examples, you can clearly see that working memory is a major function of our brains. Individuals who have weak working memory skills will likely also struggle with learning.

Some ways that working memory struggles can be noticed in learning include losing your place while reading, forgetting what was just read, struggling to keep your thoughts in order while writing, trouble with multi-step math problems, forgetting directions, appearing distracted, or inability to complete long division or multi-step multiplication problems. Impaired working memory would have implications across subjects as opposed to just one class or skill.

Working Memory vs Dyslexia

While working memory would affect reading, it is different from Dyslexia. Dyslexia is a language-based learning disability that impairs our brain’s ability to process text and other written figures. While dyslexia can often show up in math through letter reversals and struggles with word problems, it is not a disability that impairs a student’s ability to actually learn and retain information. Dyslexia struggles would present at the word-level, and students may have trouble sounding out words, or blending sounds together. Working memory would be more likely to impair reading comprehension (but not always).

These two learning disabilities can have some similarities, and can also co-exist with each other. When that is the case, it is important to work with an experienced teacher or professional to come up with the most appropriate plan to support a student.

Signs of Weak Working Memory

There can be many signs that could indicate a weak working memory. Some of these signs include (but are not limited to):

• Frequently forgetting instructions
• Difficulty with multi-step instructions and tasks
• Needing constant reminders
• Giving up on long or complex reading passages or assignments
• Appearing to daydream or “check out” when overwhelmed or confused
• Inability to retell stories or repeat information back to you

How Working Memory Is Assessed

Assessing working memory is an important part of understanding your child’s learning profile. An experienced licensed school psychologist, educational diagnostician, or private neuropsychologist can complete a psychoeducational evaluation that looks at various cognitive skills, including working memory.

They will administer simple assessments that ask students to complete skills requiring working memory, and they will be able to measure this specific function of our brains in the context of learning. An evaluator may also want to observe a student while they are in the classroom as part of their testing.

This can provide important insight about whether a child is able to stay on task, maintain focus, follow multi-step instructions, and hold and manipulate information in their brain while in a classroom setting. They may also send checklists home with parents, asking you to rate your child’s abilities to accomplish certain skills.

Strategies to Support Weak Working Memory and Learning - Practical Tips for Parents and Educators

Supporting working memory is important for students both at home and in school. Here are some helpful tips for supporting your child who may struggle with working memory:

• At Home: Give instructions one at a time. Use visual reminders like chore charts, implement predictable routines, ask children to repeat important information back to you. Playing games that build memory skills (mahjong, card games, sequencing activities) is also a fun way to help at home!
• In School: Breaking tasks and assignments into smaller steps, scaffold instruction building on previous skills, use visual aids as reminders, implement graphic organizers for writing, repeat directions often and write them down. Teaching self-monitoring skills by using rubrics and checklists are also great skill builders.
• With Technology: Try memory apps, set alarms as reminders, allow students to use speech-to-text and text-to-speech software like audio readers.
• Lifestyle: Implement a strong bedtime routine, exercise often to help with sleep and brain regulation, practice mindfulness and gratitude exercises. It is also important to praise effort, not just outcomes. Remember that children who struggle with working memory will often need a larger amount of perseverance than others.

Conclusion

Working memory is often thought of as short-term memory, but it goes beyond memorizing a phone number just long enough to dial. Working memory is responsible for holding on to information AND being able to manipulate and organize it.

Having a child that with working memory difficulties can feel overwhelming, but once you recognize it, you can start to see your child in a new light.

With small changes at home, the right supports in school, and plenty of encouragement, kids with weak working memory can thrive. Most importantly, remembering to celebrate effort (not just the end result) can help your child build resilience and confidence, one step at a time. Book a free 15-minute call with our learning specialist to get personalized strategies for supporting your child’s working memory.