It is well-established, that autism spectrum disorders are characterized by executive functioning difficulties. This is particularly true of working memory, an executive function that plays a role in daily functioning. Working memory is your ability to temporarily retain information in your memory, perform an operation or manipulation with the information, and produce a result. For example, holding a set of letters in your mind and being able to spell a word with the information represents skills found in your working memory. Working memory is a component of reasoning ability and other higher order cognitive processes. It is closely related to achievement and learning. Working memory difficulties in autism plays a role in language comprehension, long-term learning, reasoning, and reading comprehension.
Working Memory Difficulties in Autism
Studies have suggested that individuals with autism struggle more with their working memory when it comes to tasks like cognitive flexibility, planning, and increasing task complexity. Of particular interest, is visuospatial working memory, which has been implicated in how autistic individuals evaluate their social environment, reading body movements, and social cues. Individuals with lower verbal working memory scores tend to struggle more with adaptive behavior as well as repetitive and restricted behaviors, like persistent interests.
Working memory is also essential for navigating the social world. Continuously changing social information is maintained in working memory. This includes the ability to match an emotion to a face. Autistic individuals with poor working memory may have greater difficulty in keeping social goals in mind, incorporating multiple pieces of social information, and thinking through social responses. These impairments are likely to lead to difficulty in effectively navigating social situations and to more negative interactions with peers. Working memory deficits may result in more aggressive behaviors and a lower tolerance for frustration, leading to peer rejection.
How to Help with Working Memory Difficulties
There a few ways that you can help develop working memory skills
- Break down tasks into manageable parts whether that be cleaning the kitchen or helping your child with a homework assignment.
- Develop a routine. When we can automate a task, it no longer requires working memory to function. Be consistent, be patient, and use verbal and/or visual cues for yourself or your child.
- Play the game Memory.
- Read
- Play Cards
- Create Lists
- See it, Say it, Write it
- Engage in Conversations
How to Help with Social Working Memory Difficulties
- Conversation-Based Topics:
- Telephone Pictionary: One person whispers a detailed description to another, who then whispers it to the next person, and so on, until the last person draws what they heard.
- Remember the details: During a conversation, actively try to recall specific details mentioned by the other person, like their hobbies, recent events, or family members.
- Storytelling relay: Each person adds a sentence to a story, building on the previous person’s contribution, requiring them to remember the story’s flow.
- Summarize the conversation: After a brief conversation, try to summarize the key points the other person shared.
- Non-verbal cues: Practice identifying emotions and intentions based solely on facial expressions and body language.
- Paraphrasing: Repeat back what the other person is saying in your own words to demonstrate understanding and memory retention.
- Difficult conversations: Practice navigating challenging social situations, like addressing a conflict or giving feedback, while paying attention to the other person’s cues.
- Social situations: Role-play different social scenarios like meeting someone new, attending a networking event, or joining a group discussion.
To improve your working memory incorporate these mental exercises into your routine!