Neurodivergent glossary
Working Memory
The brain's ability to hold and manipulate information in the moment—like mental RAM that's often limited in ADHD and other neurodivergent conditions.
What it means
Working memory is the cognitive system that temporarily holds information so you can use it. It's what lets you remember a phone number long enough to dial it, follow multi-step instructions, or keep track of what you were saying mid-sentence. It's different from long-term memory—working memory is about what you can actively hold and process right now.
In ADHD, working memory capacity is often reduced. This doesn't mean you're less intelligent—it means your brain's "scratch pad" is smaller. You might walk into a room and forget why, lose track of a conversation mid-sentence, or need to re-read the same paragraph multiple times because the information doesn't stick during the first pass.
Working memory deficits also explain why verbal instructions can be so difficult for people with ADHD. By the time someone finishes a three-step instruction, the first step has already evaporated. This is why written instructions, checklists, and external memory aids aren't crutches—they're accommodations for a genuine neurological difference.
In practice
What this can look like
- Someone gives you directions: "Go left at the light, then right at the gas station, then left again after the school." By the time they finish, you remember there was a left turn involved. That's it.
- You're composing a thought mid-conversation. Someone interrupts. Your thought is gone—completely. Not hiding, not on the tip of your tongue. Just erased.
Context
Clinical context
Working memory deficits in ADHD are well-documented, with research showing reduced capacity in both verbal and visuospatial working memory systems (Kasper et al., 2012).
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