[This thread was copied here from the old forum.]
skedaddleedo 26 October, 2012 - 06:33
Hello. I am not sure this is the right forum but I’ll give it a shot.
My 8 year old son was recently identified as dyslexic with poor working memory. What can be done to improve this specific area of memory?
Nightwalker 26 October, 2012 - 10:05
Hi, and welcome to the forum!
I think that the purpose of N-back games like brain-workshop is improving your working memory. I would give it a shot, and it’s also fun, so maybe it will catch fancy of your son. I tried it by myself not long ago, and there was an improvement. If it was a placebo or not, because I was expecting better working memory, it worked quite well.
This link may help:
However, wait for more answers, this is just my opinion. 
Mikeproject2009 28 October, 2012 - 12:46
skedaddleedo wrote:
Hello. I am not sure this is the right forum but I’ll give it a shot.
My 8 year old son was recently identified as dyslexic with poor working memory. What can be done to improve this specific area of memory?
Nightwalker 29 October, 2012 - 07:10
Mikeproject2009 wrote:
skedaddleedo wrote:
Hello. I am not sure this is the right forum but I’ll give it a shot.
My 8 year old son was recently identified as dyslexic with poor working memory. What can be done to improve this specific area of memory?
NeilG 29 October, 2012 - 09:18
Working memory refers to the number of ‘slots’ you have in memory for things you’re trying to work out right now.
For most people it’s about 5 words or 7 digits.
The comment from the person who assessed your son suggests he can hold in memory fewer than these numbers.
Studies (cited in Joshua Foer’s excellent book “Moonwalking with Einstein”) suggest that the natural capacity can be increased by practice. A simple activity would be - read (say) ten digits or words, turn over the paper and immediately write down all of the digits or words he can remember. Repeat a few times (with the same words and with different sets of words), and then carry out the same exercise daily. Over some time, perhaps a few months, his capacity should increase.
I’m guessing an 8 year old probably won’t want to “play ball” with this activity much, so you need more fun activities that work his memory in the same way. Mah Jong. Remembering items on a tray then trying to remember what’s changed (Look up “Kim’s Game”). Give him some responsibility (Son, could you remember these three things I need to get in the supermarket for a minute while I do this). Any activity where for a short span of time (up to a minute) he needs to remember a list of 3-12 words, items or numbers.
skedaddleedo 29 October, 2012 - 12:52
Thanks NeilG for answering the question I posed. These activities are a great starting point for us. : )
skedaddleedo 29 October, 2012 - 15:08
Nightwalker wrote:
Mikeproject2009 wrote:
skedaddleedo wrote:
Hello. I am not sure this is the right forum but I’ll give it a shot.
My 8 year old son was recently identified as dyslexic with poor working memory. What can be done to improve this specific area of memory?