Poor working memory and attention. What works?

[Wimbledone]

DS has poor working memory and poor concentration. As a consequence despite being bright, his learning is slow. He gets concepts when they are explained, but forgets them once the work is done, and has to relearn them as new again next time. His progress is frustratingly slow even though verbally he is bright and is very capable in practical things.

While he is not hugely behind, he is behind his friends and is noticing now that they are able to do things he cannot. School acknowledge that his progress is slower than it should be (ie no increase in SATs levels at all this year), but don't think they have anything they can do to help him. He just needs to concentrate more and have more exposure to get things than the others.

So, it is up to us I guess... Are there any computer-based programmes that can help with this sort of thing? I have this idea that he can be 'trained' to improve these cognitive functions - but how?

All ideas gratefully improved. But we don't have ££££, or even ££. His diet is great - loves fruit and veg, takes Omega fish oils, and he sleeps well...He is 8 if that helps

There are loads of brain training games that may help:

Lumosity
Brainhq
Fitbrains
Jungle memory
Challenging our minds

I'd recommend you look into diet and supplements a lot as well.

There are lots of different theories about what a healthy diet is.

And lots of different ideas about what supplements are good. There is not even any agreement as to how much omega is right - and how much of it needs to be EPA vs DHA.

Lumosity has helped ds1

Also check out vegepa supplements and zinc and magnesium.
HTh

There is a brain training programme called Robo Memo which has some evidence to it. Is he dyslexic? If he is I can recommend a book called the Dyslexic Advantage which has shedloads of practical advice on dealing with different patterns of strengths and weakness. It's American, may be slightly more suited to older children, but it gave me real insight into my daughter's learning issues in a way that few books have.

I use eyeQ fish oils for my DS but have heard vegepa being recommended on here a lot. EyeQ is very fishy and not suitable for vegetarians, but DS is quite happy with it.

You can get chewable vegepa which is what ds1 has.
It's quite nice actually....taste of orange.
I get mine from amazon on the subscribe abs save thing.
Works out about £7 per month.

Agree about iPad apps too.

Hiya
Thanks for all the messages. I have to admit being a little sceptical of expensive dietary supplements, and DS's older brother has the same (good) diet with none of these cognitive issues. DS doesn't each sweets, eats loads of veg, few carbs, protein, nothing processed, so I don't think I'm going far wrong there.
I am interested in other ideas, but I just took a look at luminosty - no prices mentioned, so I assume it costs quite a bit! We really don't have the ££, otherwise I would take him to an EP to get properly tested to see where the issues as.
As for what he isn't retaining - he can use counting up to work out tables, but can't take 5 away from 20 without having to do it again, despite practising easy sums like that loads of times. He has strategies, but 'answers' just aren't in his memory to pull out.
He can't spell either - still can't write Dear, or funny or like and sometimes can spell because (by using big elephants can...), but sometimes can't. He really is rather erratic .
His reading is ok, better than maths and writing but still not independent. He guesses at words and misses/changes endings of words - ed for ing for example. His comprehension is much better than his ability to say the words on the page.
Oh, I don't know! He def has attention issues - very active, hates being still. But his learning is just stagnant

I would have said the same about my ds1 op.
He has never eaten sweets, chocolate, only drinks water....
And the supplements have been of great benefit.
My attitude is that if it works great if not I have only spent about £15-20 :)

Lumosity isn't that expensive - it cost us £30 for a years subscription.
Also things like rrt and the TH programme can be done in expensively at home.
Check out the books the brain food plan by robin pauc and the well balanced child by Sally Goddard Blythe.

Okay, okay, supplements then!
I will have another look at lumsity.
Where did you find the number bond/times tables things for the ipad - and can I get them on a tablet? How do you get your DC to actually sit and do them??
I have the Brain Food diet book as it happens but just felt like I was being spun a line when I read it. Part of the issue will be getting DS to co-operate with whatever I put in place.
Sorry to sound so negative - am just feeling a bit overwhelmed by things. DH works long hours and I have a few health issues so things aren't always easy for us.

Well, we have followed the brain food plan and the results have been amazing.
I dont really know what else to say.
If you are in the mind set that its all a big con then I am not sure that a) you would follow the plan and b) be committed to giving it time.
I also have some chronic health issues so I know how it can affect your start of mind, not just your physical well being.
Following the advice in the book has had such positive effects for ds (and us) and tbh hasn't been hard at all.
Good luck.

...oh and getting your dh in side and involved is pretty important.
I guess there will always be reasons not to try it.
That's life.
I just wish I had done it sonner.

Have a look at www.york.ac.uk/res/wml

This is York University's Centre for Working Memory and Learning website. Excellent resource for helping children with working memory difficulties.

In my latest issue of The Psychologist (I'm an EP) there was a little article about a review of various working memory training programmes suggesting that there is not really a strong evidence base for these programmes improving working memory in context. Most promising was a programme called CogMed but I think that this only improved working memory on tests (digit span etc) rather than in the classroom/home.

I don't generally recommend specific training programmes but do suggest that teachers follow certain strategies and that children learn to use resources such as visual organisers etc.