Boosting Verbal Working Memory in Students with Intellectual Disabilities: Fun and Easy Tips

Improving verbal working memory in students with intellectual disabilities can be a challenging yet rewarding task for educators and therapists. Based on the findings from the research article "Treating verbal working memory in a boy with intellectual disability," here are some fun and easy tips to enhance your skills and support your students more effectively.

Key Findings from the Research

The study explored a cognitive training program designed for Davide, a 14-year-old boy with mild intellectual disability. The program aimed to improve his verbal working memory through a series of targeted exercises. The results were promising, showing significant improvements in Davide's ability to handle dual tasks and recall verbal information.

Implementing Effective Strategies

Here are some practical strategies derived from the study that you can implement in your sessions:

• Core Training: Focus on core cognitive mechanisms like attention, inhibition, and switching. These are fundamental for improving verbal working memory.
• Guided Practice: Use guided practice to emphasize concrete strategies. Encourage students to verbalize instructions, select key characteristics, and rehearse information for later recall.
• Varied Tasks: Introduce a variety of tasks to maintain motivation and engagement. Progress from simple to complex tasks and change stimuli regularly.

Sample Activities

Here are some activities inspired by the research that you can use in your sessions:

• Animal Detective: Show an incomplete picture on the screen that quickly disappears. Ask the student to recognize the animal and identify the missing part from four cards.
• Guessing Game: Present a hidden object on the screen and provide clues that are either true but pessimistic or opposite to the actual characteristic. Have the student guess the object based on these clues.
• Story Recall: Read short narrative sequences accompanied by pictures. Ask the student to make a pragmatic judgment and then recall the sentence.

Encouraging Further Research

While these strategies are a great start, it's essential to stay updated with the latest research and continuously refine your approach. Attend conferences, read publications, and participate in webinars to expand your knowledge and skills.

Conclusion

By incorporating these strategies and activities into your sessions, you can make a significant impact on your students' verbal working memory. Remember, consistency and variety are key to keeping students engaged and motivated.

To read the original research paper, please follow this Treating verbal working memory in a boy with intellectual disability.