This episode is sponsored by Wondrium.
Stick around to the end of the video to learn more about it!
Hello Brains! What’s working memory?
I forgot.
Working Memory (n) is our ability to hold information
temporarily in our head while we work with it
for a short period of time.
In computer terms, it’s kind of like our RAM.
It’s where we store information we’re actively working with --
either by remembering it,
often while paying attention to something else,
or doing something with it.
We use working memory for things like
remembering a number while we look for a pen
to write it down,
doing math in our head
or remembering what we just read.
Everyone’s working memory has limits.
We all just get a few slots.
And the information in those slots goes away pretty quickly
if we don’t keep thinking about it.
To make space for new information.
Which is fine.
Most of the information we think about
in a day we don’t actually need to remember long term,
and if we do need to remember it,
we can save it to our hard drive through
techniques like “studying.”
While our long term memory (or “hard drive”) is typically just fine,
Working memory is often impaired in ADHD --
we essentially get fewer slots --
especially when it comes to verbal/auditory working memory,
which includes things like reading or
remembering what someone said.
This is why we get a lot of comments of
"Did anybody else need to rewind this video?"
Understandably, this can interfere with our ability to
encode information into long term storage
So we can remember it later.
It can also interfere with simple everyday tasks
like answering a question a teacher just asked.
As an example,
let’s this neurotypical student
has a working memory capacity that allows her to temporarily
hold onto 4 pieces of information --
essentially, 4 slots. And this student with ADHD has 3.
Now imagine the teacher asks a question
followed by 3 possible answers.
The neurotypical student might be able
to answer the question no problem.
But by the time the teacher
got to the third possible answer,
the ADHD student already forgot the question.
Even if our working memory isn’t impaired,
our difficulty with attention regulation
means the information in those slots can get kicked
out a lot more easily as we start attending to other thoughts.
And even if we have the same working memory capacity
AND we manage to ignore
that thought that popped into our head so we can stay focused,
those with ADHD have to spend more effort
actively directing their attention and actions
than their neurotypical peers --
Which means we’re taking up
working memory slots for things like
remembering to sit still.
None of these situations are because
we aren't smart, or aren't trying hard enough.
It's about working memory.
This is why lists and planners are often
recommended for those with ADHD --
not because it’s easy for us to use them,
but so we can save our working memory slots
for information we’re actively working with
rather than taking them up with things
we just don’t want to forget.
It's also part of why we need to turn off notifications
and put away distractions.
So stuff doesn't take up working memory
that doesn't need to.
So if you’re a teacher,
you probably have students in your class who struggle
with working memory,
so it can really help to write questions on the board.
If your friend writes something down while you’re talking,
that might not be them not paying atteion,
that might be them clearing their working memory
so they can focus on what you’re saying.
And now that I understand my working memory is quite impaired,
I often ask a friend things like
my working memory sucks,
can you read me the card number while I type it in?”
Working memory is just one of the executive functions
that can be impaired in ADHD --
for more, check out this playlist!
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Which is good since I definitely don't remember where I put it.
I love the flexibility of being able to take full courses
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Recently I watched a lesson on the science of cooking
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Kind of like my mind after watching that video.
Wondrium is offering a free trial right now,
and they're regular supporters of the show.
So by supporting them you're also supporting us.
If you'd like to try it out, go to
wondrium.com/howtoadhd or click on the link
in the description below to start your free trial today.
And remember: You don't have to learn all the things
at once.
It'll still be there next week.
Thank you to my Brain advocates and
all my Patreon Brains for making episodes like this possible.
If there's an ADHD related term
you'd like to see me define, leave it in the comments below.
Like, subscribe, click all the things and I will see you next video.
By Brains!