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Poor Working Memory

Beans on Toast

Hi, I have issues with poor working memory. I can see/ read/hear something and  a minute later I have forgotten it. In day to day life, it doesn’t really matter- it frustrates me, but I get by. However, it’s causing significant problems at work in following sequences to access a new computer program we are using.

I’ve watched someone about twenty times complete the process, but I can’t remember what to do when it’s my turn....it’s like I’m looking at information I have never seen before even though I’ve just watched someone complete the same process. I’ve tried writing a step by step list of instructions and and have visuals, but the problem is I look at the instruction/ visual one by one and then by the time I look at the screen to complete that one specific step, I've forgotten. It’s literally seconds. I think it’s harder also because the information I need to remember is so abstract- a series of clicks with a mouse. If someone stands by me and tells me what to press I can complete the instructions, so maybe working memory and problems with visual processing, I don’t know. 

Do I just accept that this is part of my difficulties, and let someone else complete the process- they can do- or do I persevere? I find it frustrating that no matter how hard I try to remember, I can’t. 

Parents

  • i agree with you. mouse clicks are so 'abstract.' you may have issues with parsing out words, multi-tasking..... so, at least you have an idea of some of your weaknesses. yeah, most find writing down instructions works - apparently not you. maybe you're anxious, also. and when someone is explaining something to you, you may have to work a lot harder just to process that - them communicating with you. that might not leave much of your processing available for what they were actually doing (giving you instructions, which you immediately vaporize on)

    on the other hand, you should investigate your strengths --- maybe you're unaware of them. 

    i don't think doing memory games will help, altho you could try. but since you're in an asd forum, i think your asd is the issue, or things that go with asd.

    for me, i gotta know a LOT about something before i can feel ok with memorizing or feeling okay with the task or material. i'm super slow, which is a drag. i've only discovered after a long time that i just need a lot of practice, trying out, experimenting with something before i get it. but sometimes i get it to a really solid degree. 

  • in reply to raspberrypie

    I think that last paragraph is me too.. super slow anyway, processing issues and a new thing to learn. I think because I can’t do it straight away or follow the written instructions, then the anxiety becomes the main focus and it stops me moving forwards with the next part as I panic that I’m stuck. I know I have lots of strengths  and have support  with this for as long as it takes. I just want to be more independent and to be able to do it on my own without the over reliance on others.  

  • in reply to Beans on Toast

    they said i have trouble sequencing, such as doing things step by step. i also feel learning is simply not that wonderful for me. i think that's why some aspies, such as me, tend to do the same things over and over. so, basically, avoiding learning a new thing and avoiding the pitfalls of newness. ie, the learning issues we seem to have....

    you're lucky you have support for things you're not as strong at. for me, i'm learning how to get support, and how to use it. i can't do certain things on my own, i think.  i've accepted i'm just not good at those things, and prefer to work with things i'm good at.

    a friend of mine, who i think is aspie, lives his life this way also. he seems to no what he's poor at (communicating and reading), and what he excels at (working with incredibly complex machines.) that said, i think if one is poor at something, they can still tackle it, altho probably slower going than an NT would have.

    i've sort of gotten off the anxiety tack.... i think my asd is such that it's just normal to be on sort of high alert. i think i'm simply that way.

  • in reply to raspberrypie

    A lot of this resonates- I’m incredibly good at some things and this is where I put my energy. Unfortunately the task in hand is a response to COVID. Part of me wants to say to my employer it’s not worth the stress over, and let them continue to do it for  me, but another part of me thinks I should be trying as hard as I can to master all skills. 

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  • in reply to raspberrypie

    A lot of this resonates- I’m incredibly good at some things and this is where I put my energy. Unfortunately the task in hand is a response to COVID. Part of me wants to say to my employer it’s not worth the stress over, and let them continue to do it for  me, but another part of me thinks I should be trying as hard as I can to master all skills. 

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