Cogmed Working Memory Training

Can you remember 7 things?

Working memory is the temporary active memory we use when remembering something for a short space of time, working out something mentally, or doing many tasks in one go. Reading, and understanding what you read, doing mathematical functions in your head in a noisy environment, driving, and remembering directions are all examples of where we use working memory.

Having a good working memory is critical, and a strong working memory is an indicator of academic success in schoolchildren, as well as a variety of everyday activities as an adult. It is needed for everything, from remembering the sequence of words being read when learning to decode as a child, or even keeping track of time as you get older.

Importantly, poor working memory can exist as an isolated problem, or as part and parcel of another condition, such as dyslexia, dyspraxia, poor reading, spelling, maths difficulties and any conditions where poor concentration is a concern, such as ADHD.

Cogmed® Working Memory Training addresses the following areas

• Remembering instructions and remembering what the next step is while working with a sequence of activities.

• Learning new things.

• Reading, understanding what you are reading, and selecting information.

• Organising your life, remembering what to bring along, remembering where and when meetings occur etc.

• Listening to other people and responding appropriately.

• Time planning and having a sense of time.

• Holding back impulses.

Cogmed is a software based intervention entailing different visuospatial and verbal tasks that systematically challenge the working memory capacity during a 5 week* training period. The exercises are performed on a computer or tablet in the convenience of the user’s home.

The selection and design of exercises, their composition, their scheduled distribution and total accumulated volume plays a vital role to achieve results. Cognitive neuroscientists and psychologists have integrated all of these aspects into an automatised, effective and easily accessible program suited for children age 4 to adults.

The training is tracked online and can be viewed by the parent or user, and further monitored and analysed by our qualified coach as part of the coaching package.

*To further accommodate people's different needs, Raviv Practice can also offer a training over durations longer than 5 weeks (at no extra cost).

Technology requirements

Cogmed can be run on any modern web browser on a computer with a reliable Internet connection. We recommend training using a desk based computer with a hand held mouse.

We do not recommend training on tablets or mobile phones due to the smaller screen and distracting environments.

“Over the course of the training we have noticed significant improvements with our son. Our son was beginning to improve his short term memory and concentration. His other behaviours also began to noticeably improve as well…”

– THE V. FAMILY

“We could not have done this alone without the support, and the fully coached package was the best option for our success. As Scarlet's working memory improved, the sessions became shorter; she could remember more information with less effort and stress”

— SCARLET’S FATHER

“Since working with Usha, my son has improved in many areas of his ability to work – his focus and concentration, his interest and keenness to succeed, and his academic results. But best of all, I know how to help him learn in a way which is most effective for him.”

— TANIA

“I will be recommending this method to other parents who need help for their children with learning difficulties”

— NAHEED