Memory Problems

Memory problems are often associated with aging, but children can also develop memory loss for many different reasons. The challenge with children is that some types of memory problems appear to be misbehavior or inattention. The caring team at THINK Neurology for Kids specializes in memory problems, providing multimodal treatment that targets the underlying cause and includes therapies to improve their memory. For an appointment in days, not weeks, call the office in The Woodlands, Katy, Sugar Land, or Austin, Texas, or use the online booking feature.

What is important to know about memory?

Memory is a complex process that requires the coordination and integration of many different parts of the brain. This is because your brain connects sights, sounds, smells, touch, your environment, and your thoughts and emotions when forming memories.

Everyone is familiar with long-term memory, but it’s not the only type of memory. Working memory stores the information you need to plan and execute daily activities. Episodic memory retains events and personal experiences that occurred at a particular time, while semantic memory gives you the ability to recall words, concepts, and numbers.

What causes memory problems in children and teens?

Memory problems in children and teens can develop for a variety of possible reasons, including:

• Lack of sleep
• ADHD
• Autism
• Migraines
• Seizure disorders and epilepsy
• Concussion or traumatic brain injury
• Chiari malformations
• Anxiety, depression, and PTSD
• Brain tumor

Infections, brain inflammation, and endocrine disorders may also contribute to memory problems in children and teens.

How do short-term and working memory loss impact a child?

Many of the conditions that cause memory problems in children lead to the loss of short-term and working memory. You notice short-term memory loss when your child repeatedly asks the same questions, forgets recent events, or can’t remember something they just read or saw.

Children with working memory problems struggle with learning and following instructions. Here’s an example: If you ask your child to add 10 plus 10 and then subtract five, working memory allows them to hold onto the three numbers and remember the sum so they can subtract to get the answer. 

The same concept applies to any type of instruction, such as pick up your clothes, put them in the basket, and take it to the laundry room. Without a fully functioning working memory, your child gets confused or simply stops in the middle of the task. 

Problems with short-term and working memory have a significant impact on school performance and often make children appear to be disobedient or oppositional.

What is the treatment for memory problems?

The exceptional team at THINK Neurology for Kids has extensive experience helping children with memory problems. The first step is a thorough physical and neurological examination to determine the underlying cause of your child’s memory problem. From there, they develop a customized plan that works for you and your child.

While your child may receive one of many possible medical treatments, depending on the underlying cause, the team at THINK Neurology for Kids implements other therapies to improve memory problems. They may use behavioral and cognitive approaches and teach parents practical steps they can take to help their children.

If you have concerns about your child’s memory, call THINK Neurology for Kids or schedule an appointment online.