[senco-forum] Re Short term memory deficit: Ruths query

Hi Sharon,

"My two daughters spend a car journey(!) deciding to
memorize the  serial number of a £10 note.  They tried different strategies
and got  there eventually.  They can now remember a mobile phone number  (with
practice) whereas before they could not remember their own house number  or
birthday."

That is exactly the point APDUK always try to make Sharon, that  a child 
needs to develop their OWN strategies. Often training  does not allow them to do 
so but requires they use the starategies  recommended and if they cannot do 
that, it may just confuse them  more. 

Children with processing deficits very often have accompanying short term  
memory deficits - I don't think I have come across one who hasn't. This is  
because they find it hard tio distinguish what information to keep and what to  
let go. An overloaded computer will just crash and that's what happens to these  
children whwn overloaded..

They also learn to think "outiside the box" because they have  to....and if 
they cannot do this, which some do not do naturally, they need to  be taught to 
use whatever it takes, as you have done with your children.

Ruth, I would  do this with your grandson, present all strategies and 
encourage him to do  things his way...which I'm sure you do already. Unfortunately, 
schools rarely  have the time for this process, even if a child has a 
statement, any  support (often just that hour a day if they're lucky) is rarely spent 
on  coping strategies, which are what they will need most to get through life,  
in school and beyond.

Trial and  error is often the only way. Sadly the damage the errors make 
while finding what  suits a child can cause more long-lasting effects thatn the 
original difficulty,  and for some children they get the damage without the 
success, because nobody  ever realises they need help...or simply tells them "You 
can't do it that way  because it's wrong". There is no wrong way to learn.

Best wishes,
Aly

Chair Auditory  Processing Disorder in the UK/APDUK
www.lacewingmultimedia.com/APD.htm 
www.apduk.org