ADD/ADHD and Working Memory
How’s your working memory?
Working memory is your ability to use information. The best examples of a working memory is remembering what you recently read in a newspaper or remembering what you walked into a specific room to get.
It’s also essential for other daily tasks like following directions, staying focused on a project as well as remembering information momentarily.
You might have also heard this referred to as your short-term memory.
Individuals with ADD/ADHD have impaired working memories. Until now, it seemed that little could be done to improve the working memory. An interactive computer program called Cogmed seems to be changing that for many people.
Cogmed Working Memory Training is individualized training in this area. The theory behind this software program is that your short-term, working memory can be strengthened, much like the muscles in your body.
The strengthening occurs from regular use of computer based exercises that are not unlike the playing of a computer video game. If you’re familiar with The Brain Age games that Nintendo makes with one difference. With Cogmed, as you progress, the levels of the exercises fluctuate, either increasing in difficulty or ease, as needed.
Initial studies – although admittedly statistically small – have shown remarkably positive results. Approximately 80 percent of those who complete Cogmed training show improvement in their ADD/ADHD symptoms, according to the company’s website.
The exercises are designed to help the student’s individual needs by what the company calls a “coach.” The interactive exercises, themselves are actually performed at home five days a week for five weeks. Each exercise lasts up to 40 minutes.
The coach assumes the responsibility for not only setting the system up, but also monitoring the individual’s progress and providing the necessary feedback.
The cost of this service is not cheap — $1,500 – and it isn’t covered by insurance. Some psychiatrists have said that this form of therapy will never actually replace the need for prescription medication, but it can indeed help reduce the dosage.
Visit here for an excellent article on the subject and to meet some students who have benefited from Cogmed. You can also get more information on this groundbreaking therapy on the company’s official site, www.cogmed.com.
If you’re interested in contacting a center which offers this treatment, visit this directory.
Dr. Kenny
Technorati Tags: Cogmed, ADD, ADHD, Working Memory
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Written by Dr. Kenny Handelman - The ADHD Doctor
To find get a FREE special report on ADD/ADHD Medication, visit: Medication Mastery
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September 23rd, 2008 at 3:30 pm
ADD/ADHD and Working Memory…
Working memory is your ability to use information. The best examples of a working memory is remembering what you recently read in a newspaper or remembering what you walked into a specific room to get….
September 23rd, 2008 at 3:46 pm
ADD/ADHD and Working Memory | ADD ADHD Blog.com…
Working memory is your ability to use information. The best examples of a working memory is remembering what you recently read in a newspaper or remembering what you walked into a specific room to get….
September 23rd, 2008 at 4:10 pm
ADD/ADHD and Working Memory | ADD ADHD Blog.com…
Working memory is your ability to use information. The best examples of a working memory is remembering what you recently read in a newspaper or remembering what you walked into a specific room to get….
December 23rd, 2008 at 7:27 pm
Hello to every one, Wisdom may come with age; our brains don’t get any faster. Many areas of cognitive function decline over time: attention wavers, processing speed decreases, memory starts to crumble.
So we need to protect our self out of theses type of problems. I have been using software known as Brain Fitness Pro since last 20 days. The software is really effective. I use it for 30-40 minutes daily and have seen a good improvement in my memorizing and thinking ability. The best part about the software is that it prepares a graph of our performance which helps us in tracking our progress.
I was always looking for some such program which can help me in keeping my brain fit and healthy. With the software I can exercise my brain daily. It keeps all the parts of my brain active. I think the software can be used by anyone who is looking for a change in traditional ways of keeping mind healthy.