"Working memory" refers to the cognitive capacity to retain cognitive or linguistic information temporarily for processing and use. Working memory requires the short-term storage of information needed for reasoning, comprehension and the manipulation of information, and is therefore essential for everyday tasks such as responding to questions and following directions.
I recently read an article by Bora Eom and Jee Eun Sung in the American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology (December 2016, Volume 25) called "The Effects of Sentence Repetition-Based Working Memory Treatment on Sentence Comprehension Abilities in Individuals With Aphasia." The article examined whether or not sentence repetition type treatments (often used to increase working memory capacity) resulted in positive effects for participants in the areas of sentence comprehension skills, working memory tasks and other general language skills.
Interestingly, the researchers found that study participants demonstrated significantly improved abilities in the areas of sentence repetition, sentence comprehension, working memory tasks and other general language tasks. Although the participants in this study all had aphasia, there are theoretical implications for clients with other clinicial etiologies. This is encouraging news for those of us currently working with clients who have general language comprehension deficits and decreased working memory capacities.
Jayna Collingridge
www.utahspeecherapist.com
I recently read an article by Bora Eom and Jee Eun Sung in the American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology (December 2016, Volume 25) called "The Effects of Sentence Repetition-Based Working Memory Treatment on Sentence Comprehension Abilities in Individuals With Aphasia." The article examined whether or not sentence repetition type treatments (often used to increase working memory capacity) resulted in positive effects for participants in the areas of sentence comprehension skills, working memory tasks and other general language skills.
Interestingly, the researchers found that study participants demonstrated significantly improved abilities in the areas of sentence repetition, sentence comprehension, working memory tasks and other general language tasks. Although the participants in this study all had aphasia, there are theoretical implications for clients with other clinicial etiologies. This is encouraging news for those of us currently working with clients who have general language comprehension deficits and decreased working memory capacities.
Jayna Collingridge
www.utahspeecherapist.com