Long Term Memory Problems in Children and Adolescents: Assessment, Intervention, and Effective Instruction

An indispensable guide that examines the effect of long-term memory functions on children's learning

Long-Term Memory Problems in Children and Adolescents is the first book of its kind for psychologists, school psychologists, and special education teachers who need an overview of long-term memory as it relates to learning and education. It presents the best practices for assessing long-term memory functions, as well as selecting and using evidence-based instructional practices with memory-impaired students.

This useful and timely guide bridges theory and practice to provide professional guidance with coverage of:

• Risk factors that can lead to long-term memory impairments
• How long-term memory relates to other types of memory
• The subcomponents and processes of long-term memory and how they relate to academic achievement
• What is known about the neuroanatomy of how memories are formed
• The developmental trajectory of memory and learning
• Common types of memory dysfunction
• Memory assessment strategies, interventions for memory problems, and instructional practices that support memory

Author Milton Dehn draws on his extensive experience as a trainer and workshop presenter, school psychologist, and educator to present both the theory and research on long-term memory in children and adolescents in this book. Specific step-by-step guidance and hands-on case studies enable professionals to identify how memory can be assessed as well as the interventions that can be linked to the results of the assessment.

Table of Contents

Foreword Daniel C. Miller xi

Preface xiii

Acknowledgments xvii

Chapter 1 Introduction and Overview 1

• Memory and Learning 4
• Memory Problems 6
• Applying Memory Research in the Classroom 8
• Overview of the Chapters 8
• Learning Objectives 10

Chapter 2 Memory Systems and Processes 13

• The Flow of Information 15
• Sensory Memory 16
• Short-Term Memory 16
• Working Memory 21
• Long-Term Memory Systems 27
• Long-Term Memory Processes 35
• Forgetting 47
• Interference 49
• The Organization of Memory 51
• Implications for Memory Assessment 53
• Educational and Training Implications 54
• Memory Fundamentals 54

Chapter 3 Memory Neuroanatomy, Development, and Dysfunction 57

• The Neuroanatomy of Memory 58
• Short-Term and Working Memory Structures 68
• Neurological Principles of Memory 71
• The Development of Long-Term Memory 72
• Development of Metamemory and Effective Strategies 75
• Fundamentals of Memory Development 81
• Related Cognitive Processes 82
• Memory Dysfunction 86

Chapter 4 Risk Factors for Memory Impairments 91

• Acquired Brain Injury 94
• Medical Conditions 99
• Developmental Disorders 107
• Mental Disorders 114
• Substance Abuse 118
• Findings that Apply to All At-Risk Groups 125
• Assessment Implications 126
• Implications for Interventions and Classroom Instruction 127

Chapter 5 Long-Term Memory Assessment Strategies 129

• A Comprehensive Explicit Memory Assessment 130
• Planning a Personalized Assessment 138
• Cross-Battery and Selective Testing 142
• Memory Assessment Challenges 143
• Collecting Medical, Developmental, and Academic History 145
• Interviewing Teachers, Parents, and Students 146
• Observation 149

Assessment of Metamemory and Strategy Development 152

• Collecting Classroom Examination Data 156
• Guidelines for Administering Standardized Memory Tests 157
• General Guidelines for Interpretation of Test Results 159
• Analysis of Memory Test Scores 163
• Specific Guidelines for Interpretation of Memory Assessment Results 168
• Case Study 176

Chapter 6 Assessing Long-Term Memory With Standardized Tests 179

• California Verbal Learning Test—Children’s Version (CVLT-C) 180
• Children’s Memory Scale (CMS) 184
• The NEPSY II 187
• The Rivermead Behavioural Memory Test for Children (RBMT-C) 190
• Test of Memory and Learning, Second Edition (TOMAL-2) 192
• Wide Range Assessment of Memory and Learning, Second Edition (WRAML2) 196
• Wechsler Memory Scale1-Fourth Edition (WMS1-IV) 200
• Cognitive, Intellectual, and Achievement Batteries 205
• Other Scales With Long-Term Memory Measures 221

Chapter 7 Interventions for Memory Problems 225

• Desirable Outcomes for Memory Interventions 227
• Factors Related to Success 228
• Concerns About Memory Interventions 230
• Selecting and Designing Interventions 232
• Setting Goals and Measuring Progress 233
• General Memory Strategy Training Recommendations 234
• Metamemory: The Cornerstone of the Intervention 235
• Demonstrating the Efficacy of Memory Strategies 239
• Promoting Generalization and Maintenance 241
• Length of Training 242
• Memory Strategies 242
• Mnemonics 251
• Computerized Interventions 256
• Home Interventions 257
• External Memory Aids 258
• Psychopharmacological Treatments 260
• Memory Interventions for Traumatic Brain Injury 261
• Interventions for Other Disabled and At-Risk Populations 263
• Matching Interventions With Memory Deficits 263
• A Typical Intervention 268

Chapter 8 Classroom Instruction That Supports Memory 271

• The Mnemonic Classroom 273
• Metamemory Instruction 275
• Instructional Practices That Enhance Memory 275
• Study Skills That Enhance Memory 297
• Instructional Methods for Severe Memory Impairments 299
• Accommodations and Memory Aids 305
• Teaching Memory Strategies 306
• Teaching Mnemonics 306
• Instruction That Reduces Working Memory Load 308
• Summary: Long-Term Memory Principles and Recommendations for Educators 312

Chapter 9 Case Studies and Recommendations 315

• Assessment Case Study 315
• Intervention Case Studies 318
• Illustrative Report 327
• Recommendations for Future Research 332
• Recommendations for Memory Test Development 333

AppendixA Memory Assessment Plan 335

Appendix B Analysis of Memory Testing Results 337

AppendixC Conversion Table: Scaled Scores to Standard Scores 339

References 341

Index 377