Everything You Need to Know about the Memory Skills of People with Autism

There’s an undeniable link between an individual’s memory and their ability to process and do certain things. For the brain to function properly, it must be able to accurately identify the right information that has been stored based on past experiences.

For example, people learn from a young age that a red traffic light means stop, and that it isn’t safe to cross a street when there is a red light. We know that because we were taught that information, it was repeated to us many times, and the concept was applied in different ways.

Using memory, the brain is able to recall all of these pieces of information quickly and accurately, which allows us to almost instinctively stop when there is a red light, keeping us free from potential danger.

When memory is off, then, behavior can be off, too. This is one of the big challenges that people who have autism spectrum disorder (ASD) face.

Many scientific studies have concluded that the autistic brain is “wired differently” than the brains of neurotypical individuals. How information is processed is different and, as a result, children with autism face challenges when it comes to things such as verbal and non-verbal communication as well as social interaction.

A major reason for this could be memory and how it operates in the brain of children with autism.

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Do Children with Autism Have Good Memories?

You might have heard that children on the autism spectrum have excellent memories. In many ways, this is correct.

Some children with ASD can recall pieces of information from a very young age. This information might be extremely specific or seem way advanced for their age.

Studies have found that this might be because memory is closely associated with a person’s engagement in a situation, and the fact that sensory experiences play a big role in that. As such, children on the autism spectrum who are able to recall events with specific details are also able to recall sensory information about that experience, too.

Since autism spans a very wide spectrum, and each child with autism is unique, this doesn’t apply as an across-the-board rule for everyone.

Do Children with Autism Face Memory Challenges?

While some children on the autism spectrum have outstanding memories, others struggle with memory. While they may be able to recall certain facts — almost in the same way that a computer can recall data and information — their recall abilities might be different than that of neurotypical individuals.

Some of the common memory challenges they face include trouble taking knowledge they gained in one situation and applying it to another, i.e. having difficulty generalizing information; not being able to recall interactions and social cues; having trouble grasping concepts that are considered abstract; and having trouble adapting to a new routine or switching their focus.

In general, many children on the autism spectrum struggle with remembering some information, carrying out purposeful actions and acting independently. Tasks that rely heavily on remembering and critical thinking — such as solving problems, understanding language and picking up on non-verbal cues — are all things that children with ASD struggle with.

Can You Improve Memory in Children with Autism?

Lot a lot of other things in the brain, memory is something that can be improved. For children on the autism spectrum, there are certain strategies that are more effective than others in this regard.

Since many children with ASD are visual learners, integrating visual aids such as symbols or pictures into scenarios helps them to better understanding information and recall it later. This is a big part of applied behavioral analysis, or ABA therapy, which often uses visual cues to teach the small, individual steps of bigger activities.

Memory games can also help. This is a fun way to improve a child’s memory, through things such as card matching, asking them what’s missing and even games like Sudoku.

Repetition is also key for children with autism. This is why ABA therapy is administered over long periods of time, with techniques being used over and over again both inside and outside of sessions to emphasize these important skills.

Blue Gems ABA Helps Children with ASD Improve Their Memory

There’s an inextricable link between memory and how an individual acts and behaves. Since many children on the autism spectrum struggle with parts of their memory, it’s no surprise that they also struggle with certain things such as behavior, communication and social interaction.

At Blue Gems ABA, our team of experienced BCBAs help children on the autism spectrum improve their memory through ABA therapy. This one-on-one therapy is administered either in your home or a clinical setting, with a treatment plan tailored specifically to your child’s strengths and challenges.

To learn more, please contact us today.