by Ashley Zultanky, Psy.D.
Behavior Therapy Associates | Somerset, New Jersey
Do you, your significant other, or your child have difficulties with:
- Starting and finishing tasks
- Transitioning between activities
- Staying focused
- Ignoring distractions
- Remembering instructions
- Planning next steps
- Attending to details when reading
- Critical thinking or problem solving
- Note taking
- Limiting excessive recreational screen time
These may be signs of a working memory deficit, a problem that can impact one’s functioning on a daily basis at school, work, home, and the community. This brief article summarizes difficulties with attention and working memory. Important information is provided about Cogmed, a computer-based program for children through adults, which Behavior Therapy Associates can easily coach you through while you are at home.
What is working memory?
It is the ability to keep information in your mind for a short time, focus on a task and remember what to do next. While short-term memory is the brief storage of information, working memory involves both the storage and manipulation of information. It facilitates the manipulation and processing of information and has been referred to as the “search engine” where this occurs. It is a system that temporarily stores and manages information required to carry out complex cognitive tasks such as learning, comprehension, and reasoning. It is necessary for staying focused on a task, keeping an individual updated and aware of what is going on around them, and blocks out distractions. We use working memory in our daily life, helping us to perform efficiently and effectively across settings, including academic, professional, and social situations. It helps an individual learn new material, focus on brief instructions, comprehend written and auditory information, perform mental arithmetic, interact with peers, plan and prepare for an activity, participate in team sports, focus on and follow a conversation, get to work/school in a timely fashion, meet deadlines, and prioritize multiple activities.
Working memory is considered a component of intelligence and is directly measured on three of the most commonly utilized tests of intelligence (Wechsler Scales, Woodcock Johnson, and Stanford-Binet). Individuals with a working memory deficit often have difficulties staying focused, ignoring distractions, planning next steps, remembering instructions, starting and finishing tasks. Studies have shown that deficits in working memory often lead to difficulties in school, especially in reading comprehension and math, and can impact adults as well. In addition, difficulties with working memory tasks have been connected to anxiety and can negatively impact mood.
In neurotypical children, working memory improves through adolescence. Research shows that individuals with ADHD experience working memory plateaus, causing a larger gap between them and their neurotypical peers. This gap further increases over time. Most people with an attention problem also have a working memory deficit.
Why choose Cogmed for working memory training?
Cogmed combines cognitive neuroscience with innovative computer game design and close professional support which may result in substantial and lasting benefits. Cogmed is fundamental cognitive training, not skills learning: Cogmed does not teach you new skills. It helps you create a platform for learning skills. The concept of neuroplasticity, the idea that the brain can reorganize itself and change, is what allows Cogmed to effectively change the way the brain functions to perform at its maximum capacity. There are many training programs for various skills such as reading, math, or time management. Cogmed acts on a different, more fundamental level. Once your working memory has improved, you may find that acquiring new skills is much more doable for you.
Cogmed includes easy-to-use software and professional, individualized support. Cogmed is an empirically-supported intervention with extensive research supporting its efficacy. This includes placebo-controlled clinical studies published in peer-reviewed professional journals. It has been validated by independent researchers and presented at leading neuropsychology conferences worldwide. Cogmed Working Memory Training is supported by a great deal of published research. It uses adaptive technology to adjust to each individual user for maximal training effects. Cogmed allows the individual to train on their own schedule without having to visit the clinician’s office, which is especially beneficial during this pandemic. This web-based training is available using a Mac, PC, or tablet.
How does Cogmed work?
It is a computer-based program for children through adults that can help people with attention problems by training and increasing their working memory capacity. Clinically proven results demonstrate that after training, many people improve their ability to concentrate, control impulsive behavior, and better utilize complex reasoning skills. In the end, better academic and professional performance can be achieved. It was released in the United States in 2006, and Behavior Therapy Associates was the first qualified coaching practice in New Jersey.
The complete Cogmed program includes an initial interview and collection of baseline data, five weeks of training with weekly coaching calls, a wrap-up meeting, and access to the Cogmed Training Web. Over the course of 5 weeks, the individual completes 25 training sessions on the computer, each ranging from 30-45 minutes. The Cogmed Training Web gives all users online access to their own training results and progress status. Each week, a Certified Cogmed Coach leads training, tracks results, and provides support and encouragement. During the weekly telehealth session, the data are reviewed with the client.
What are the benefits of Cogmed?
Cogmed is proven to train and improve a person’s working memory. Eight out of 10 users show measurable improvement. Post-training evaluations have shown that many students perform better in school. Many parents and teachers have also reported improvements with social skills, taking initiative, remembering instructions, and completing assignments more independently. Extensive research has shown improvements in individuals with ADHD, brain injury, cancer, post-traumatic stress disorder, and those without diagnoses who simply have problems with working memory.
Why Now?
As a response to the needs of those experiencing difficulty related to social distancing and remote education and working conditions, Behavior Therapy Associates is offering the Cogmed program for children through adults at a reduced fee with all sessions done remotely through HIPAA secure video conferencing. For more information about the Cogmed process and cost, please contact Behavior Therapy Associates at 732-873-1212 or email info@behaviortherapyassociates.com.
Portions of this article originated from Cogmed’s brochure and website.
Ashley M. Zultanky, Psy.D. is a clinical psychology Post-Doctoral Fellow at Behavior Therapy Associates and is a Certified School Psychologist in New Jersey. Dr. Zultanky has experience treating children through adults individually and in groups. She has extensive training in neuropsychological, psychological, and psychoeducational assessment of a variety of populations, including learning disability, ADHD, neurodegenerative diseases, epilepsy, tumor, and traumatic brain injury. She has experience with individuals presenting with a variety of issues, including at least the following: depression, anxiety, adjustment issues, ADHD, social skills difficulties, academic and learning difficulties, developmental delays, autism spectrum disorder, anger issues, complicated bereavement, chronic illness, and history of trauma and substance abuse. She also leads social skills training groups for a variety of ages. Dr. Zultanky also has specialized experience in the areas of sport psychology, performance-related difficulties, and executive functioning.
