Any luck with working memory exercises improving symptoms?

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Hey everyone. I'm a 48-year-old woman and my Aspergers/ADHD symptoms have gotten so bad over that past few years that I now have trouble with simple social interactions and simple chores around the house, even though I can still do computer stuff (my "gift") and my IQ still scores high. There is no help in my area for adults with these problems other than ADHD meds which I already take, so I'm trying to figure things out via internet research and free cognitive testing. According to the testing, my main problem is a lack of working memory, which can be improved by using free or low-cost N-test apps. However, a neuropsychologist I talked to over the phone (who wanted to charge me many thousands of dollars for her services), told me that working memory exercises are generally not useful for people having trouble with really basic activities. I've tried the N-test apps, and they seem really useful, though I can only manage the easiest levels, and would have a long, long ways to go to get my working memory back to a decent state. Also, I'm the only person my 14-year-old PDD-NOS (very disabled other than IQ) daughter has to take care of her outside of her special ed class, so I am highly motivated to keep my brain working.

If anyone has any experience with any of this stuff, I would so appreciate your feedback.

Thanks,
Cat

So, are your symptoms actually getting worse? Or are you just being stressed beyond your ability to cope?

If you are noticing a decline in your abilities that can't be explained by stress/overload, then you need to get checked out by a neurologist, because there may be something else going on besides ADHD and AS.

If you're having more trouble due to stress, my first question is whether there's any way you can reduce your stress level. For example, is there some source of stress in your life that you can cut out, or something stress-reducing that you can add into your life?

Ettina, My psychiatrist assured me that my increased problems were due to the stress of years worth of serious family problems, but the major things causing stress went away about a month ago, and my symptoms actually got worse. I guess the stress went from external, to internal: thinking to myself "Why am I still having all these problems even without stress?".

Maybe change in diet. Maybe some vitamins could help. Good sleep and less stress. Maybe seeing a specialist on ADHD could help.

Excercising will not change how the brain functions. It helps in general if you have Asperger or any other form of Autism, but it does not help with ADHD.

I am not a proffesional so my advice is only from what I know from internet.

In my own case, I'd find something like that more draining than helpful. If I focus on one specific area like that I become mentally drained vs seeing any strengthening over time.

Thanks for your input. I just got a break in the form of a phone call. The local agency that handles services for people with developmental disabilities is going to give me an assessment, even though they don't normally do this for people with high IQs. If I get in they should be able to help me.