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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

  • Hello. I learned a little bit about it at our Late Diagnosis Group in Edinburgh. What it comes down to is, the part of our brain that processes working short-term memory and our environment (sight, touch, sound, smell) is much smaller in size in the autistic brain (there are some good images on Google!) Because it's smaller, it gets overwhelmed easier and this produces what's called 'Sensory overload'. This makes it harder to retain information, sometimes makes us overwhelmed to the point we shut down and have to retreat to a quiet, safe space. Autism and ADHD are also closely linked. Even though some people might not qualify for an ADHD diagnosis, lots definitely suffer from the same symptoms.

    There's a myth brought about by the film Rain Man that autistic people are like computers and retain everything. Unfortunately only around 10% (I'm sure it was) have this amazing gift called Sauvant Syndrome. The majority of us have some struggles with memory on a daily basis. If you can get in the habit of carrying a notepad or using a Notes app on your phone it makes a huge difference and saves you having to re-ask which often makes us panic.

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  • Hello. I learned a little bit about it at our Late Diagnosis Group in Edinburgh. What it comes down to is, the part of our brain that processes working short-term memory and our environment (sight, touch, sound, smell) is much smaller in size in the autistic brain (there are some good images on Google!) Because it's smaller, it gets overwhelmed easier and this produces what's called 'Sensory overload'. This makes it harder to retain information, sometimes makes us overwhelmed to the point we shut down and have to retreat to a quiet, safe space. Autism and ADHD are also closely linked. Even though some people might not qualify for an ADHD diagnosis, lots definitely suffer from the same symptoms.

    There's a myth brought about by the film Rain Man that autistic people are like computers and retain everything. Unfortunately only around 10% (I'm sure it was) have this amazing gift called Sauvant Syndrome. The majority of us have some struggles with memory on a daily basis. If you can get in the habit of carrying a notepad or using a Notes app on your phone it makes a huge difference and saves you having to re-ask which often makes us panic.

Children