Does your autistic ADHD child tend to misplace things frequently, forget things often and/or have a hard time remembering several steps to do for a task? They may be struggling with a poor working memory, which is one of the executive function skills. People with autism and/or ADHD tend to have difficulty with executive functions skills. So how can you help your autistic and ADHD child improve their working memory?
What is working memory?
According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, working memory is defined as “memory that involves storing, focusing attention on, and manipulating information for a relatively short period of time (such as a few seconds).”
I like the definition from Psychology Today, which states, “working memory is a form of memory that allows a person to temporarily hold a limited amount of information at the ready for immediate mental use. It is considered essential for learning, problem-solving, and other mental processes.”
Working memory is an executive function skill. The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines executive function skills as “the group of complex mental processes and cognitive abilities (such as working memory, impulse inhibition, and reasoning) that control the skills (such as organizing tasks, remembering details, managing time, and solving problems) required for goal-directed behavior.”
As I note in this blog post, these are necessary skills for being successful in school, work and “adulting” in the future. If our kids are struggling with these skills, it’s so important that we as parents, caregivers and teachers work with our autistic ADHD children and teens to improve their executive function capabilities.
What are the signs of working memory difficulties?
So what are the signs that your autistic and ADHD child or teen may be struggling with working memory issues? Here are some things you may notice:
- Has difficulty remembering several steps for a task
- Lacks focus
- Requires re-reading of text
- Tends to disengage in the classroom
- Needs to repeat things
- Takes longer to comprehend material
- Exhibits text anxiety, especially related to multiple choice questions
- Has inconsistent performance
- Requires additional time for tasks
- Experiences impaired recall of material learned, or information seen or heard before
Why do autistic people with ADHD have difficulty with working memory?
There has been quite a bit of research done regarding working memory related to both autism and ADHD. Several studies have shown the correlation between people who have autism and/or ADHD and a poor working memory.
Why is this? While scientists do not know the exact cause of the deficit of working memory in these individuals, they believe it is linked to how their brains developed, especially the prefrontal cortex, and how many neurons are in their brain. I found this article from Psychology Today, which has a good overview about this and summarized some studies that I read regarding working memory deficits and autism.
My son J definitely has struggled with working memory issues, and it’s one of his biggest executive function weaknesses. As he enters college, I am trying to help him create checklists, use to do lists and reminder notes, and find other ways to help him improve his working memory.
How can I help my autistic and ADHD child improve their working memory?
Can working memory be improved? Thankfully, yes, it can. Here are some steps you can take to help your autistic and ADHD child or teen improve their working memory.
1. Give tasks in smaller steps
If you are giving your child a task to do or a list of things to do, keep it short to just two or three at a time. If you give too many directions to your child at once, they are likely to forget them.
2. Play memory-oriented games
Games like Memory (affiliate link) or Simon (affiliate link) are a great way to help your autistic ADHD child improve their working memory. Even card games like Uno (affiliate link), Go Fish or Rummy (affiliate link) are good because your child has to remember all the rules to the game.
3. Develop a checklist
If your child has a series of steps or tasks that they need to do frequently, develop a checklist for them to use. Over time, they should rely on it less as they repeat the steps or tasks.
4. Create designated spaces for their stuff
If your child is misplacing their things at home or even in their school backpack often, create designated spaces for them. You will need to help them put their stuff in their places for a while, but over time it should become routine.
5. Break down learning into smaller chunks of information
Help your child or teen focus on learning smaller chunks of information at a time. Talk to your child’s teacher about how to do this for their schoolwork. They will be able to retain the information better.
6. Encourage your teen to study for more, shorter periods of time
Your teen most likely will retain more information while studying for tests if they do more frequent but shorter study sessions. For example, three or four sessions of 20 minutes each with breaks in between will be more effective than studying for one full hour or longer all at once.
7. Teach your child memory techniques
There are many techniques for memorizing information. These can include creating a story, song or rhyme to remember information, or using mnemonics.
8. Urge your child or teen to exercise every day
Exercising has so many benefits, and it can really help your child’s brain health. They can go for walks, ride their bike, jump on a trampoline or play ball with their siblings. The physical activity will go a long way in helping them mentally too.
9. Help your child or teen practice mindfulness
Mindfulness can help your autistic ADHD child or teen focus on the present moment and help them better remember information in the short term. Want more information about mindfulness for your child or teen? Check out this blog post.
10. Discourage multitasking
Multitasking isn’t truly doing two or more things at once. It is really switching quickly between single activities. Then it takes longer to get back to the original task. For example, when your teen needs to do their homework, have them leave their phone in another room. That way, they can focus only on their school task instead of checking their phones and being distracted.
What other tips or techniques have worked for your autistic ADHD child or teen to improve their working memory? Leave a comment below so that we can share and encourage one another on this journey!
Additional Resources
Want more information on this topic? Check out these additional resources.
How Can I Remember All That? (affiliate link)
Executive Skills Workbook for Teens (affiliate link)
Daily Planner for Kids (affiliate link)
Improve Executive Functioning Skills Workbook for Kids (affiliate link)
Executive Functioning Workbook for Kids (affiliate link)
