WISC V - Working Memory

Summary

In this educational video, Dr. Cindy and Kim Charman, both specialists in learning disabilities, discuss the concept of working memory and its impact on learning. They explain the components of working memory, including digit span and picture span, and how these skills are crucial for academic performance, particularly in writing and reading comprehension. The video also touches on strategies to help students with learning challenges to improve their working memory capacity, emphasizing the importance of early intervention and tailored educational approaches.

Takeaways

• 🎓 Dr. Cind and Kim Charman are both specialists in learning disabilities and remediation, with Dr. Cind having a PhD and Kim working specifically with children facing various challenges.
• 🔍 The conversation focuses on working memory, particularly in the context of IQ testing, and how it is assessed through subtests like digit span and picture span.
• 📝 Digit span is a test with three parts: digits forward, digits backward, and sequencing. These parts measure different aspects of working memory and problem-solving abilities.
• 👀 Some individuals excel at certain parts of the digit span test, such as forward or backward recall, but may struggle with others, indicating varying strengths in working memory.
• 👶 The script mentions that working memory is crucial for children's academic performance, affecting tasks like writing, reading comprehension, and following multi-step instructions.
• 🧩 Working memory is likened to a 'buffer zone' that holds and processes information during problem-solving, and its weaknesses can be compensated with strategies and tools.
• 📚 The importance of teaching strategies to individuals with weaker working memory is highlighted, such as using fingers for sequencing or visualizing information.
• 🤔 The script discusses the challenges of administering tests like digit span, emphasizing the need for a consistent and distraction-free environment to ensure accurate assessment.
• 🔑 A low working memory score is a 'red flag' that suggests the need for intervention to help build working memory capacity through targeted instruction and accommodations.
• 📉 The impact of working memory on academic tasks extends to subjects like math and science, where the ability to hold and manipulate information is crucial for problem-solving.
• 🌐 The conversation also touches on the idea that even children with high IQs can have low working memory, indicating that these are distinct cognitive functions.

Q & A

What does Dr. Cind specialize in?

Dr. Cind specializes in assessment, intervention, and advocacy with a focus on learning disabilities. She also identifies as an adult with dyslexia and dysraphia.

What is Kim Charman's role in the educational field?

Kim Charman is a reading and writing remediation specialist, working with children with various challenges from kindergarten through college, and she has experience with ADHD.

What is working memory and why is it important for problem-solving?

Working memory is the ability to hold information while you're problem-solving or working on problems, to hold previous information without losing it so that you can use that information effectively.

What are the two subtests that are often used in the calculation of a full scale IQ?

The two subtests often used in the calculation of a full scale IQ are Digit Span and Picture Span, although not all assessments require both.

Why might some psychologists choose not to administer Picture Span?

Some psychologists may choose not to administer Picture Span because it's not required for a full scale IQ calculation and they might be assessing visual memory in other ways.

How does the Digit Span subtest work in the context of working memory?

Digit Span assesses working memory through three sections: digits forward, where you repeat numbers as heard; digits backward, where you repeat numbers in reverse order; and sequencing, where you arrange numbers from smallest to largest.

What is the significance of the differences in performance on Digit Span subtests?

Differences in performance on Digit Span subtests can indicate strengths and weaknesses in various aspects of working memory, such as the ability to recall information in the same order, reverse order, or after manipulating it.

How can a person's performance on Digit Span be an indicator of their working memory capacity?

A person's performance on Digit Span can indicate their working memory capacity by showing how well they can hold, manipulate, and recall information in different contexts, such as forwards, backwards, or after sequencing.

How can working memory affect academic performance in areas like writing and reading comprehension?

Working memory affects academic performance because it is involved in managing multiple tasks simultaneously, such as handwriting, spelling, and grammar in writing, or decoding words and maintaining context in reading comprehension.

What strategies can be taught to students with weak working memory to help them compensate in academic settings?

Strategies for students with weak working memory can include using tools like calculators, highlighters, and note-taking techniques, which can help reduce the reliance on working memory and allow students to demonstrate their skills more effectively.

What is Picture Span and how does it differ from Digit Span?

Picture Span is a test where a series of pictures are shown for a brief period, and then the participant must point to the pictures in the order they appeared, including some not from the initial set. It differs from Digit Span as it assesses visual memory and the ability to recall and sequence visual information.

Why is it important to assess working memory in children with learning disabilities?

Assessing working memory in children with learning disabilities is important because it can help identify specific areas of weakness that may affect academic performance and inform targeted interventions to improve their working memory capacity.