Visiting Speaker Event

Poor skills in the temporary storage and manipulation of information - working memory - are associated with a range of developmental disorders including reading, language, and attentional deficits. Findings are reported from a programme of research on over 300 children identified solely on the basis of deficits of working memory rather than other learning or cognitive impairments. The children were characterised by a high risk of educational under-attainment (>80%) and classroom difficulties in following instructions and keeping track in complex activities. Their classroom behaviour was highly inattentive although their social integration was typical. Other deficits are also found in motor inhibition and sustained attention, and in basic information processing. Environmental factors such as SES have little impact on working memory, which appears to have a strong genetic basis although it may be open to modification through training. It is speculated that deficient working memory may be a cognitive phenotype for children without general learning difficulties who are slow to learn in school and may also overlap with the inattentive sub-type of ADHD.

This seminar will take place at 16.00 in room 3095, level 3, Shackleton Building.

Tea will be served from 15.45 in Room 3096 (iZone)

You are most welcome to attend.