ADHD and Working Memory (English)

Learn what working memory is, and see how a teacher's instructions are interpreted by a typical child, and a child with ADHD. For more information, visit:

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This video is provided for general information only. It does not replace a diagnosis or medical advice from a healthcare professional who has examined your child and understands their unique needs. Please speak with your doctor to check if the content is suitable for your situation.

Cette vidéo sert à donner des renseignements généraux seulement. Elle ne remplace pas le diagnostic ou les conseils médicaux d'un professionnel de la santé qui a examiné votre enfant et comprend ses besoins uniques. Veuillez consulter votre médecin pour vérifier si le contenu convient à votre situation.

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VIDEO TRANSCRIPT:

Working memory is often referred to as an active mental workspace. It's a cognitive system that allows us to hold and manipulate information online for a few seconds during problem-solving or other cognitive activities. And it's his internal representation in working memory that we use to guide our decision-making, so that behaviour and actions are not dominated by immediate
sensory cues in the environment. By contrast, long-term memory is often referred to as a filing system for a more stable or longer-term storage of information. And typically cues in the environment or in working memory trigger the need to rapidly retrieve information from long-term memory and bring it into working memory along with other types of information.
Conversely, information in working memory may be reorganized and encoded back into long-term memory. Here's what might happen when a teacher gives instructions out of order and they are interrupted:
"Okay students. Take a look at your math worksheet. Note there are addition and subtraction questions. Make sure you don't use the wrong sign and remember I want to see how you solve the problems". "Children in a band, please note that band practice will be in a gym at 12 noon". "Oh and before you start, remember to put your name and the date on the top of your worksheet". This is an illustration of working memory in a typically developing child. As the first instruction is given the student retrieves relevant information from long-term memory to hold online in working memory. Now the student interprets and generates internal representation of the teachers rather complex instructions and holds those online. With the PA announcement the student extracts critical information and stores it in long-term memory for later use and protects the existing information in working memory from interference.
This is an illustration of working memory in a student with ADHD. First it's important to remember that the student with ADHD may have a smaller working memory capacity to begin with. First, the student's effective response to the history of repeated difficulties with math takes up valuable space in working memory. His slower processing speed impedes the translation of complex instruction, so he tries to hold them on line verbatim. But the PA announcement has tipped the scales. He's on cognitive overload. Unable to block this irrelevant information which triggers retrieval of other information - where's my drum? - and relevant information is lost from working memory. Moreover, there's no room for those final instructions about details about name and date. So he is left with the Gestalt of the task - no details - with irrelevant information online that could disturb his performance.

[rachellee]

This explains SO much as to why I never understood how other students knew about things the teacher told us, and I always wondered "where was a I!?"

[CarlClassenX]

I really like this explanation. I didn't get diagnosed until I was an adult but this explains really well how I find ADHD works for me. When i'm learning and a lot of information is being pushed at me I find "I fill up" and everything else is quickly forgotten. Other people get frustrated that i'm not listening or faking that I have forgotten information. But the bucket is full. I need to process the current information into long term memory being learning more. This type of learning doesn't work well in traditional teaching environments.

[taha]

All this year I thought I was alone with this problem. It is really nice to see that other people had the same problem to deal with

[julesgiddings]

This video explains so well what I go through. It hurts when people tell me that I don’t try. I know there are benefits from ADHD but my biggest challenge is working with other people. I struggle to listen to instructions and I get bored very fast.

[kendiikendra]

I got diagnosed with ADHD as an adult and this makes so much sense

[gabrielsholisticcare]

Oh my this description of how the child’s mind works with ADHD fits me perfectly I’ve never ever heard anybody describe it quite that way but that’s exactly what I feel with sensory overload.

[MichelBoustani]

For people who do no have knowledge about special needs, in this case about ADHD, this awareness clip is a precious gift of learning to better understand.
I wish there was more similar clips covering most of special needs topics.
Thank you !

[Kathrynwutube]

I know this was not targeted to ADHD people but this video is a good example of how as an ADHDer, I can easily get lost. Pulsating cloud, unclear illustration of the kid's haircut/brain, flying, swirling, and turning text, bumping pizza slice, all the different colors and different fonts. On top of that, the verbal explanation at the same time as the visuals and the next video queueing up at the end. Distraction overload for this poor brain. A++ and so very very grateful for people who make videos likes this to explain ADHD to others.

[mysteriousgamer]

This explanation fits my ADHD perfectly. It shows how distraction leads to memory loss. This is SUCH A HUGE issues with me. So common in ADHD people!

[salmalubani]

Thank you for this I was trying to find an explanation to why I can’t focus In class or do homework correct without forgetting something and start fidgeting. This is something that should be taken seriously my mom doesn’t take it seriously at all I just sent her a link to explain what I’m going through and she didn’t even watch the video. Good luck for all of my adhd pals don’t forgetting that You are smart!

[daddySAL]

Im 22 years old now and watching this video explains a lot I remember in middle and high school how I suffered with comprehension and my grades and even in speech i still suffer till now, it frustrates me

[lancekeller]

And as i watch this im distracted by at least 3 distractions. I pick up my phone again and where i was. Not to mention im no kid anymore. Im 51 years old. This never goes away. You only learn to deal with it.

[maeveobrien]

Very good illustration of the difficulties people who are on the spectrum struggle with on a daily basis.

[adelaidealfieri]

This was absolutely my experience in school hahaha Thank you for explaining that, I don’t feel as bad about myself now. I can see now it wasn’t my fault

[alijd]

Thanks for this. My experience isn't this straight forward but it definitely explains the outcomes of how I missed info or how I'm aware someone said something to me but I immediately forgot.

[Haguebozu]

This explains a lot for me. Thank you!

[blue.orangeade]

Such a well-made video. This is so accurate!

[ChelissaMoon]

I have ADHD and I also have visual aphantasia. I think this lack of being able to visualize makes my working memory shorter because I can’t see what I need to recall.

[ImJonasCortez]

For me it doesn't feel like it all happens slower and my Working memory is less big. It feels more like I process to fast and the wrong things also pop up whenever something from long term memory is required.