Research shows that everyone can improve his or her working memory — but Cogmed Working Memory Training is especially effective for those with attention deficits. The Cogmed training program is specifically designed to help children with attention deficits to overcome working memory problems.
Just a few short years ago this was considered impossible. Today, research shows that children who undergo Cogmed Working Memory Training improve their ability to concentrate and can control their impulsive behavior better. The greatest benefit? Parents, teachers and kids have reported improved academic performance and, sometimes, better social skills.
Working memory can be described as the ability to keep information in your mind for a brief time, while using it to carry out a task. Simply put, it means remembering what to focus on or what to do next.
If you have working memory problems, it’s hard to stay focused or shut out distractions. It can also be hard to plan your actions, or to start and finish an activity. And it may be difficult to remember what someone just said to you, or to take in and remember instructions.
You use working memory in everyday tasks such as reading, doing math and organizing. Working memory is crucial for controlling attention and thus, the ability to concentrate. If you have working memory deficits, which are linked to attention deficits, you may experience them as difficulty concentrating. Research into academic performance shows that reduced working memory also leads to poorer performance at school.
- Concentration problems
- Problems starting activities and carrying them to completion
- Forgetting instructions
- Difficulties with reading comprehension
- Forgetting homework, books, gym clothes or instruments
- Daydreaming instead of listening during school
What research supports Working Memory Training?
Cogmed Working Memory Training program was developed in conjunction with the Karolinska Institute, one of Europe's leading research institutes. A team of researchers discovered that all people can improve their working memory with correctly designed, intense training. For people with serious attention deficits, improved working memory means tangible and measurable improvements in daily life. This initial research took place in Sweden, and the results have been published in several international academic journals. Once research was published in the Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, word of the program’s success spread quickly. Researchers at Notre Dame, Stanford and Harvard have conducted further validation studies.
How effective is the training?
Eighty percent of the more than 1,700 children who have participated in Cogmed’s Working Memory Training program have improved their ability to control impulsive behavior, concentrate and use complex reasoning to solve problems. Follow-up studies show that most of the participants retain their working memory gains over time, and for some the results increase over time. However, we offer a booster program eight to 12 months after training ends to reinforce progress.
How does the training work?
Cogmed Working Memory Training is for adolescents and children ages 7 and older who have attention and working memory deficits. The computerized training uses software called RoboMemo, which features a series of eight rotating exercises. As your child improves at the exercises, RoboMemo dynamically increases the level of difficulty.
Most children train at home with the help of a training aide, generally a parent, who participates in each training session. Some children train at school, with permission from the school principal. A teacher or paraprofessional then serves as the training aide. Training takes five weeks, 30 to 45 minutes a day, five days a week.
Children with attention and working memory deficits are easily frustrated when doing complex tasks. RoboMemo was designed with that in mind, and to make training fun. A robot guides children through the exercises and provides encouraging feedback. At the end of each session, your child can play an optional, entertaining racing game. Even though training is difficult and requires adult supervision and coaching, children who have used the software have been enthusiastic.
All you need to use the software is a home computer with an Internet connection, disc drive, mouse and speakers.
If I want my child to use the Cogmed Working Memory Training Program, what’s the first step?
Here’s an overview of all the steps involved:
Interview. A Cogmed coach will interview you by phone or in our offices to assess your child’s difficulties and whether the program can meet his or her needs. Most children with attention deficits are likely to benefit from the program.
Start-up session. Your coach oversees the initial session as your child begins using the software with the help of his or her training aide.
Five-week training with coaching. To help ensure your child’s success with the training, you’ll be assigned a Cogmed-qualified coach from our clinic who has experience working with children with attention deficits. Your coach will monitor the results of the training via the Internet, and discuss the results and developments with the training aide in weekly telephone coaching sessions. The coach advises on progress, ways to keep the child motivated, rewards and adjustments to the training plan, if indicated.
Wrap-up session. When your child completes the five-week training, your Cogmed coach evaluates your child’s progress and provides you with a report.
Follow up. Six months after training, your coach will again interview you by phone or in our offices to evaluate your child’s progress and determine the potential benefit of booster training.
What is the Cost?
The complete Cogmed Working Memory Training Program, including the initial interview, start-up session, five-week training with weekly coaching sessions, follow-up evaluation session - $1,500.00
Will my insurance cover the training?
Cogmed Working Memory Training is an educational program that helps the cognitive functioning of people with attention and working memory deficits; it is not a medical treatment. Health insurance programs typically limit their coverage to medical treatments, and so this training is not a covered benefit.
How do I learn more?
If you think training might be right for you or your child, we recommend you start by talking with your clinician, or call Dr. Avner Stern at 913-906-9559, ext. 106.
To read more about Cogmed Working Memory Training, and to determine whether your computer meets the system requirements, log on to www.cogmed.com (scroll to the bottom to the "Test Your Computer" section).
Important notice: Cogmed Working Memory Training is not intended to be a substitute for a health care provider's consultation or a substitute for medication that a doctor may have prescribed. Scientific research in respect of Cogmed Working Memory Training has evidenced strong improvement effects. Even so, the effect or result in the individual case and for a specific user can never be guaranteed and results may vary.
