ADHD exercise, working memory

Holding an instruction made of several steps in mind, keeping a result in mind during a calculation, remembering what you were going to do on entering a room: all of this calls on working memory. In many children with ADHD, it is fragile. They forget quickly and lose the thread. Here are exercises to train it, and tips to ease it.

A memory of the moment

Working memory keeps a piece of information in mind for a few seconds, long enough to use it. It is what holds the phone number you are about to dial, or the carry-over in an addition. Its capacity is limited. In a child with ADHD, it is often smaller or more fragile. The information is lost more quickly.

This fragility explains many difficulties: forgotten instructions, failed calculations, incomplete sentences in writing. The child is not distracted by choice. Their working memory is overloaded. It can be trained a little, but above all it can be eased with tools. Executive functioning is presented on the page ADHD and executive functions.

The suitcase game

The suitcase game is played with several people. One player announces an item they are packing for a trip, for example a swimsuit. The next player repeats the swimsuit and adds a towel. Each turn lengthens the list by one item. When someone forgets one, the game starts again.

The theme can be adapted: at the market, I buy. At the zoo, I see. Play it as a family, in the car, at the table. The child trains without realising it. They have fun. Week after week, the list they manage to remember gets longer.

Several actions to remember

Give an instruction in several steps. Take your water bottle, fill it at the tap, then put it in your bag. The three actions must be held in mind before moving. Start with two steps. Move on to three, then four.

You can teach them to repeat the instruction quietly before starting, or to count the steps on their fingers. These strategies help them remember. They can use them in class. They will forget less, and they will be reminded less often. A full progression is available on the page on following an instruction.

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Remembering backwards

A more difficult exercise consists of repeating a sequence of numbers or words backwards. Say 3, 7, 2. The child must say 2, 7, 3. They must hold the sequence in mind and manipulate it. This is genuine working memory work. Start with two items.

You can also do small mental calculations, keeping an intermediate result in mind. What is two plus three, plus four? The child must hold five before adding four. They practise holding and using. Keep to simple calculations, so that the effort falls on memory rather than on the calculation itself.

Memory card games and card games

Pairs matching games train short-term visual memory. The child must remember the position of the cards already turned over. Start with a few pairs. Add more. Play as a family.

Other card games draw on working memory: remembering the cards already played, anticipating moves. Choose simple rules at first. Play regularly, a few games a week. The child makes progress. More games are listed on the page of playful exercises.

Easing memory load

Exercises can improve working memory a little, but the effects are often limited. It is therefore essential to ease it with tools. Write instructions down rather than saying them. Use lists, memo sheets, reminder notes. Break tasks down into small steps.

In class, the teacher can write instructions on the board, give one instruction at a time, and provide written supports. The child does not have to remember everything. They focus on the task. They do better. Templates are available on the page to get organised with a list.

Assessing and supporting

The neuropsychologist assesses working memory precisely during the assessment. They can indicate whether it is particularly fragile and suggest adjustments. Some training programmes exist, but their effects on everyday life are debated. It is best to talk about it with a professional. They will know how to advise.

To find a neuropsychologist near you, consult the directory ProfessionnelsDys, which lists professionals by profession and by town. A speech and language therapist can also work on memory within language. The perspectives complement each other. The link with forgetting is covered on the page my child forgets everything.