Cogmed Working Memory Training

What is cogmed?

• Cogmed Working Memory Training is an evidence-based program that helps children, adolescents, and adults to improve attention by training their working memory.
• The program is based on strong scientific research and is delivered under the supervision of a Cogmed Qualified Coach.
• It is a computer based program and training takes place at home.
• The program adjusts by complexity level for each exercise, in real time, for maximized training effect.
• The aim of Cogmed Working Memory Training is to increase the ability to stay focused, ignore distractions, plan and sequence, remember instructions, and start and finish tasks. Those skills are crucial for both school and professional performance as well as for everyday life skills.

Who will benefit from cogmed training?

• Children, adolescents or adults with working memory deficit, or ADHD.

  Some specific examples of the difficulties faced by children and adults with Working Memory deficits include:

  • Resisting tasks requiring mental effort
  • Can not sit still as expected in school
  • Regular incomplete assignments
  • Organizational skills
  • Easily distracted
  • Impulsive in actions and responding
  • Difficulty focusing on and completing a task
  • Trouble remembering instructions
  • Difficulty in retaining information
  • Difficulty with tasks requiring organization, planning, and sequencing information
  • Reading comprehension and mathematics difficulties
  • Lack of a sense of time
• Also, test takers who would like to improve their memory, focus and attention to achieve better results.
• No specific diagnosis is needed to take advantage of the training.

How is it implemented?

Children have fun while improving their attention and working memory, leading to better academic performance and planning.

The complete program includes:

• Initial interview
• Start-up session
• 5 weeks of training, 5 times per week, with weekly coach calls
• Wrap-up meeting
• Six month follow-up interview
• Access to the Cogmed Training Web
• Cogmed Extension Training (12 months)

The time range during each session and the amount of weeks for training will depend on the child’s age and his or her individual charactersitics.

There are three programs:

1. Cogmed JM for Preschool
   Younger children use their working memory for a number of things, such as focusing on and following instructions, and remaining seated to complete independent activities.
2. Cogmed RM for School-Age
   Working memory is crucial for children and adolescents both for success in school and in social settings. Reading, solving math problems, planning, and following a conversation all rely on working memory.
3. Cogmed QM for Adults
   Working memory in your adult and professional life is critical for challenges such as planning, focusing, resisting distractions, and meeting deadlines.

How can i encourage my child to train?

• Children enjoy the program because it is computer based and they play video games.
• Children are also compensated with immediate rewards.
• Sometimes a tutor or adult is needed when the child is training.
• A Cogmed Coach will help you set up the goals and the setting for your child.

What is the research behind?

The Cogmed Program was developed by Torkel Klingberg, a Swedish Neuroscientist at the prestigious Karolinska Institute, known for cutting-edge medical treatments, research. The Nobel Prize in Medicine. Dr. Klingberg and his team discovered that working memory deficits underlie many difficulties children and adults experience with focused attention and learning. They also discovered that these WM deficits can be improved with computer based brain training.

Based on more than 25 peer-reviewed studies, Cogmed is the most evidence-based computer intervention for working memory (WM) and attention in the world. There are over 30 research articles already completed, and over 60 research projects ongoing.

Child Factsheet

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