What are the implications of an impaired working memory?

Kids with weak working memory skills have difficulty grabbing and holding on to that incoming information. This means they have less material to work with when they’re performing a task. In math class, they may know how to do different kinds of calculations. However, they run into trouble with word problems.

Why does my child have poor working memory?

Developmental and intellectual disabilities like ADHD, autism, Down syndrome, Rett syndrome, and developmental language disorder commonly cause memory problems. Though some of these conditions may affect long-term and visual memory, they most often disrupt working memory.

Does processing speed affect memory?

Processing speed isn’t an executive skill, but it can affect executive function. Slow processing speed impacts working memory, flexible thinking, organization and planning, and attention skills. Mistaking slow processing speed for issues with executive function skills is common.

How does processing speed affect learning?

Slow processing speed impacts learning at all stages. It can make it harder for young children to master the basics of reading, writing and counting. Older kids display slow processing speed by the inability to perform tasks quickly and accurately.

What is working memory and processing speed?

Working memory is the ability to keep information in mind, monitor and update recent information, and use this information for learning and problem solving. Slow processing speed impacts working memory because less information can be encoded (processed) in the same amount of time.

Can you have ADHD and high processing speed?

Indeed, in adults with ADHD, symptoms of hyperactivity-impulsivity have been associated with faster processing speed (Nigg et al., 2005) and symptoms of inattentiveness have been associated with slower processing speed (Hunt, Bienstock, & Qiang, 2012; Nigg et al., 2005).

What is the difference between working memory and processing speed?

Is low working memory a learning disability?

Yes, there are at least two types of memory problems, working memory and long term memory, which can lead to difficulties in learning. Problems in working memory can lead to difficulties in learning because the individual may have less space in working memory for organizing and integrating new skills or knowledge.

What does it mean to have low processing speed?

At a Glance Slow processing speed is when people need a lot of time to take in, make sense of, and respond to information. The information can be visual, like letters or numbers.

Is your child’s processing speed too slow?

As a parent, witnessing slow processing speed in action can be bewildering, even frustrating. Gifted children with slow processing speed can appear focused but not seem to get much done. Homework can drag on for hours. Grades might be lower than even the most reasonable expectations.

What happens when a child has a weak memory?

Many students with weak working memory skills lose new information before it can be processed, making learning difficult. When a child also has a slow processing speed, it becomes even harder to hold on tothe new information before it is lost.

Do you have a gifted child with slow processing speed?

Gifted children with slow processing speed can appear focused but not seem to get much done. Homework can drag on for hours. Grades might be lower than even the most reasonable expectations. Slow processing speed can even affect social relationships. If you’ve had IQ testing done, you may have noticed a certain index score was not like the others.

Does low processing speed mean I have a learning disorder?

Like we saw in the example above, a low processing speed score by itself doesn’t necessarily indicate the presence of a learning disorder (LD). But, because we know many individuals with LDs also have low processing speed, it’s important to rule it out.