What it is, how it impacts you & how you can help yourself.
What is working memory?
Working memory is your brain’s post-it note, where it stores information for a few seconds and then processes that information in some way.
Working memory allows you to hold information and then do something with it such as asking a question on the information you just received.
Some examples of how it impacts you:
Working memory is a bit like a dining table, if it gets overloaded by too many dishes it struggles to function. The problem is for dyslexic people is our dining table is smaller and can’t fit as many plates.
Some areas you might find difficult are:
Directions
Instantly forgetting passwords you just made
Thinking and doing at the same time (for example a dance class)
Working Memory Tips:
Here are a few examples of memory aids for people who struggle with working memory. The key to all of these is reducing the effort your brain is taking to process the information you have.
1. Visual Association
Images are easier to associate than random information, particularly for dyslexic brains. Connecting images to ideas or concepts helps you recall the information you just learned.
I like this technique for names, so I give everyone a celeb name. My friend Alex I remembered his name because he was Alex Baldwin in my mind.
2. Chunking
Taking individual units of information and grouping them together. A great way to remember wifi passwords or sequences of numbers.
Instead of a phone number being 0 7 8 0 3 4 6 5 4 1 9, its 07-803-465-419
3. Chaining
Using visualisation again, but this time linking items by using images that connect them. A great one to use for shopping lists.
So instead of trying to remember: Cheese, bread, and tomatoes
You say: A mouse started eating my bread, so I need some Cheese for a trap otherwise next he might be onto my tomatos.
4. Colour Association
Tagging items to a colour can be hugely helpful in reducing your mental load. I really like this for my calendar to keep me on track for tasks.
Red tasks are for admin
Green tasks are for events
Blue tasks are for sales tasks
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