Published on ADDitudeMag.com
Quiz: Adults, Could You Have an Executive Function Problem?
Working memory, a critical executive functioning skill, is where you store the information you need to complete a task. If you are reading a story, for example, you will store information about what you have read here. As you continue to read, your working memory helps you recall what already happened and relate it to what you are reading now. Working memory is essential in learning and everyday tasks.
Q1 : You have something you want to ask your friend, but she is on the phone and you must wait a few minutes before asking. By the time she is finished, you completely forget what you wanted to ask.
Your answer : Often Not often
Deficits in working memory can make it difficult to hold on to thoughts, even for a few minutes.
Q2 : You plan to complete some work at home and pack up the items you need a the end of your work day. When you sit down to do the work, you realize that you forgot to bring home several critical items.
Your answer : Often Not often
Working memory helps with organization and planning. Problems with working memory can interfere with both of these areas.
Q3 : You are having a conversation with a friend. You find it difficult to follow the conversation, forgetting what your friend said just moments before.
Your answer : Often Not often
Working memory helps you remember what was said and respond correctly. Those with working memory problems might make irrelevant comments or blurt out answers because they are afraid of forgetting what they want to say.
Q4 : You are completing a task with several steps, such as getting the trash, taking it outside and then putting a new bag in the trash can. You usually forget the last step.
Your answer : Often Not often
Adults and school age children usually have the ability to follow tasks with more than two steps. If you have poor working memory it might be hard to keep all the steps in mind.
Q5 : When you read something, you usually end up going back to reread the prior section because you can’t remember it.
Your answer : Agree Disagree
When you read you take in a great deal of information and those with working memory deficits might find it hard to keep it all in their minds. They often find themselves rereading prior sections of a book or story.
Q6 : You constantly misplace your cell phone. You feel like you waste time every day looking for your phone and other misplaced items like keys or glasses.
Your answer : Agree Disagree
Working memory helps you keep track of belongings and organizing your things. Those with working memory difficulties can lose track of their belongings, sometimes within seconds of putting it down.
Q7 : You are often accused of not listening because you don’t follow through on tasks you are asked to do.
Your answer : Agree Disagree
The problem probably isn't that you aren't listening; it might be that the information came through but you only retained a few snippets of information.
Q8 : You have a hard time remembering people’s names, even if you have met them multiple times.
Your answer : Agree Disagree
Details such as names are hard to keep track of when you have working memory difficulties. It might help to attach some information about the person, such as “Mary has very bright red hair.”
Q9 : In the morning, you usually rush around to get ready for work but still often end up being late.
Your answer : Agree Disagree
Searching for misplaced items might be one reason you are often late but you might also lose track of time or underestimate how long it takes to get ready. All of these can be signs of poor working memory.
Q10 : You have a hard time managing large projects, even when you break them down into steps, you find you miss steps or end up spending too much time on tasks that don’t have much importance.
Your answer : Agree Disagree
Working memory is important in planning and organization. You need to juggle different tasks and information in order to create a cohesive plan.
Your Score
There's a strong possibility that you have some working memory issues and possibly other executive function deficits. Print out these test results and speak to a medical or neuropsychology professional about an evaluation.
There's a strong possibility that you have some working memory issues and possibly other executive function deficits. Print out these test results and speak to a medical or neuropsychology professional about an evaluation.
You might benefit from some working memory exercises. Print out these test results and speak to a medical or neuropsychology professional about an evaluation.
With these results, you probably don’t have a working memory problem. Everyone forgets sometimes, especially during times of stress or when you are juggling multiple tasks. If you still have concerns, print out these test results and speak to a medical or neuropsychology professional about an evaluation.
You most likely do not have a working memory or executive function problem. If you still have concerns, print out these test results and speak to a medical or neuropsychology professional about an evaluation.