Working memory is like our brain's “notepad”. 📝
It allows us to keep and manipulate information for short periods - such as remembering a phone number while writing it down!
Although it seems simple, this function has a significant impact on learning, attention, and thought organization, especially in individuals with Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).
In this article, you will understand what working memory is, how it works in our lives and how difficulties in this area affect school, professional, and emotional performance. ⬇️
Simply put, working memory is the system we use to temporarily store and manage information while performing mental tasks.
It is distinguished from long-term memory in that it is always “active”, helping us to solve problems, make decisions, and maintain focus. 🤓
According to psychologists and researchers Alan Baddeley and Graham Hitch, which popularized this concept, working memory is composed of subsystems such as the phonological handle, the visuospatial sketch, the episodic buffer, and the central executive — each with a distinct function in information management:
In people with ADHD, it is common to have difficulties keeping this information active, which can lead to frustration, forgetfulness, and disorganization. 😓
The good news is that working memory can be trained and supported! Here are some practical strategies:
For children with ADHD, these strategies must be practiced with patience, positive reinforcement, and consistency.
The support of psychologists and other specialized professionals is also essential. 🧑 ⚕️
Working memory It is one of the brain's main executive functions, responsible for planning, organizing, managing time, and staying focused — fundamental competencies for effective learning.
Studies show that, even with a level of intelligence within or above average, these people can face real obstacles in their daily lives, such as difficulties in reading, writing, mathematics and oral comprehension.
Individuals with ADHD tend to have specific deficits in working memory, affecting school and professional performance.
These deficits They are not related to intelligence, but rather with the way in which the brain organizes and maintains information at the moment. 🧠
Common signs:
Although often confused with disinterest, these difficulties reflect real cognitive challenges that require understanding and personalized strategies. 😊
Working memory is more than a brain function; it's a bridge between what we know and what we can apply at the moment.
By understanding how it works—and why so many people with ADHD face challenges in this area on a daily basis— Is it possible to transform the way we deal with learning, behavior, and emotional management!
➡️ If you have identified these signs in yourself or your child, schedule an assessment with us or explore other articles about ADHD and brain training on our blog.
Baddeley A. (2012). Working memory: theories, models, and controversies. Annual review of psychology, 63, 1—29. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-psych-120710-100422
Ramos, A.A., Hamdan, A.C., & Machado, L. (2020). A meta-analysis on verbal working memory in children and adolescents with ADHD. The Clinical Neuropsychologist, 34 (5), 873—898. https://doi.org/10.1080/13854046.2019.1604998
