What the EF? How to Support Working Memory
A guide for parents, partners, relatives, friends and professionals supporting ADHDers. Part of the What the EF? Executive functioning blog series. /blog/tag/What+the+EF%3F
https://www.embracethemuchness.com/blog/understanding-working-memory
Before we begin, if you haven’t already read our companion blog, What the EF? Understanding Working Memory, we recommend reading that first and then returning.
If you’re a parent, partner, relative, friend, colleague, or professional supporting an ADHDer with working memory challenges, you’ve likely felt frustrated at times.
You might notice things like:
Important items getting lost
Needed items being forgotten when leaving the house
Tasks not being completed
Bills not being paid on time
Birthdays or anniversaries being ignored
Commitments not followed through on
Conversations not being remembered later
What the EF? Understanding Working Memory
Working memory…what does that even mean? For many ADHDers it feels like our memory is certainly not working! The term “working memory” refers to the cognitive skill of being able to temporarily store and manipulate information. Working memory is considered one of the executive functioning skills.
What Working Memory Actually Is
Think of working memory like a post it note in your brain. It tends to hold information temporarily until it’s needed.
What the EF? Understanding Executive Functioning Skills and ADHD
When people talk about ADHD, the conversation often centers on focus, attention, and impulsivity. As an ADHDer, a parent of ADHD children, and a professional who supports many ADHDers, I see executive functioning skills as the area where challenges show up most. These are the cognitive processes that help us “execute” tasks. Think of them like the executive of a business for your brain: they support goal setting, monitoring progress, following through, analyzing, and adjusting.
For search clarity: you may also see these challenges called “executive dysfunction” online. I use more affirming language here.
This article is an introduction to executive functioning and the eight core skills. It also kicks off a series where I will take a closer look at each skill and share strategies for people who experience challenges in that area.
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