Many parents who notice that their children are unable to perform even simple tasks, forget things they remember, or don't follow basic instructions often think, "Maybe they're forgetting things on purpose, maybe there's more to it than meets the eye."

When Adam was 8 years old, his parents noticed that their young son had seemingly intractable memory problems. They faced this challenge every morning at school. Adam would forget things, yet he was still intelligent. However, his teacher confirmed that he couldn't remember, even though the class rules were fairly simple.

At first, in math class, Adam would start a question and then get lost in his thoughts, sometimes leading him to get it wrong. When the teacher would explain three steps, he would only complete the first step of the instructions. His parents would think he was being naughty or not paying attention.

Adam truly felt stupid and useless. Instead of trying something he thought he would fail at anyway, he became so discouraged and depressed that he stopped studying. 

For a long time, the circumstances were like this, with difficulties, but finally, Adam's parents resolved to take action. They consult with a brain specialist for their son's education. His specialist conducted comprehensive ADHD testing to assess memory, attention, and brain function.

The report confirmed that Adam had ADHD and a significant impairment in working memory. His mind raced, meaning he was putting more energy than other children to perform simple tasks like memorizing things. This wasn't a sign of laziness, but rather a problem with his brain that was impacting normal brain function.

Why do brains with ADHD have memory problems?

ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder that results in severe neurological impairments in children or adults with ADHD. Typically, the parts of the brain (aka the prefrontal cortex of the brain) associated with controlling executive function are different in ADHD. Executive functioning includes the ability to think and execute a plan, the ability to force oneself to act, and memory function. When these areas don't function as smoothly as they should, memory is affected.

Imagine a child being told by a teacher, "Please read Chapter 5 first, then answer questions 1 to 10 and write a page about the main character." By the time the child returns home, they only remember "something they read," but may not be able to write about the paragraph or answer the questions. This isn't because they were distracted.

The problem with most people with ADHD is that they sometimes don't even know what they don't know. They may think they remember everything, even though they've already forgotten crucial things. Also, the same memory problems often recur.

Why ADHD Memory Problems Need to Be Treated?

It's beneficial to train a child early on to address their memory problems. Also, the methods for training individuals vary. If ADHD or a memory problem of child with ADHD is left untreated in children, it can lead to:

• Poor academic performance, even if the child is intelligent.
• Low self-esteem and feelings of failure.
• Difficulty with daily tasks and other problems with coping.
• Anxiety and depression can be other complications.

Research has shown that children with memory problems have impaired outcomes in adulthood if left untreated. If their work involves situations that require them to follow instructions precisely, they may mispronounce or make a mistake, and their memory may also appear to be impaired. The sooner treatment is started, the better the long-term outcome.

How to Improve Working Memory ADHD?

While many teachers and parents know about methods that help children with ADHD succeed in class, they struggle to implement them regularly. Start small. Make learning easy while also laying a strong foundation. For example:

Break Everything Down into Small Steps:

Instead of saying "Get ready for school," try breaking it down into specific steps. Explain each step: brush your teeth, get dressed, pack your backpack, and eat breakfast. 

Create a dedicated space for important things:

The child should keep their backpack, shoes, homework folder, and other daily items in one place. For these things work well, brightly colored bins or hooks help them be easily visible.

Also, develop a habit of reminding them confidentially, and reward them if they remember. This may take several months, but eventually, as the child learns, it will become a habit.

Use visual reminders:

Colorful calendars, cute stickers, and picture schedules stick in the minds of children with ADHD. These reminders should be placed in a place and at a time when the child will definitely pay attention to them.

The most common mistake families make is relying on too many reminders at the same time. Initially, just one or two. Use reminders and then gradually add new ones until they're adopted well.

Get your child's complete attention:

Get your child's attention by making eye contact and asking them to summarize what you just expressed. This simple pause pulls information out of short-term memory and into working memory.

Most often, parents skip this step due to time pressure or rushing, but following this can provide a good memory habit without any difficulties later.

Professional Support:

Although home interventions are effective, do not neglect or overlook the need for professional treatment to improve memory problems in children. A child psychiatrist can conduct an examination and provide an accurate diagnosis. 

Based on the diagnosis, they can provide a customized treatment plan that includes cognitive support, consistent planning, and an understanding of learning techniques to help children develop their intelligence and create a better future for themselves. If necessary, they can prescribe medication (to balance brain chemistry) in conjunction with therapy, coping skills, and lifestyle changes to improve working memory function. 

Creating Long-Lasting Success

Adam saw more benefits than temporary trade-offs with memory when his family members worked together as a team to seek professional treatment. The parents realized that Adam would need both the right medication and behavioral discipline to recover.

Still, even if this were the case, Adam's difficulties were never easy to deal with. However, he overcame them with patience and consistent effort. After losing patience due to various things happening, he received some helpful distraction-free lessons that helped him improve his memory function and succeed in his studies.

Alternatively, you can take a second opinion with a neurologist near me for your child with or without ADHD memory concerns. A neurologist is a medical professional specializing in diagnosing, managing, and treating disorders of the nervous system, who can make a difference in both understanding the issue and curating a personalized treatment plan.