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Memory Disorders

What are memory disorders?

Memory disorders are changes in the brain as a result of injury, disease, or trauma. Disorders of memory can include specific medical diagnoses like Parkinson's Disease, Dementia, Alzheimer's Disease, Multiple Sclerosis, Traumatic Brain Injury, Tumors, and Cancer. Age-related memory changes can also impact how individuals function.

When the process of making a memory is interrupted, the brain may not be able to:

-pay attention to what's going on (if you can't attend to it, you certainly won't remember it)

-filter out irrelevant information (remember the important pieces and dumping the unimportant info)

-link what you're supposed to remember to the greater meaning (the WHY of the memory)

- encode the memory into long term storage in an organized way so you can easily find the memory later

-retrieve the memory with appropriate speed and accuracy

Each of these skills can be targeted and improved in therapy.

Can you really change your memory abilities?

Yes! Due to the principles of neuroplasticity (the brain's ability to change), we know that we can improve the way a person's memory functions. We do this by training the brain to anticipate problems and solve them before they happen, create routines and structures in the environment to reduce the demands placed on the memory, and train use of adaptive tools like lists, apps, calendars, notes, and reminders. This type of therapy is usually called cognitive rehabilitation and is done by Speech-Language Pathologists.

What if I have a progressive disorder? My doctor told me that I'm just going to get worse.

Progressive disorders do continue to alter the biology of the brain itself. However, that doesn't mean you just sit around and wait for it to get bad. There are therapies to do that have been shown to:

Reduce the rate of progression
Maintain independence and safety for longer periods of time
Improve caregiver & loved one knowledge and skills in supporting the person with the progressive disorder.
Maintain quality of life

Do I need to be in therapy for the rest of my life if I have a progressive disease?

No. While there is no magic pill or one-size fits all approach to cognitive rehabilitation a skilled speech-language pathologist will meet with you during an evaluation and discuss:

Your goals- what are you hoping to achieve from therapy (prevent decline, improve function, learn a specific skill?
What is your support system? - both now, and what might it look like in the future
How do you learn? (They will assess what kinds of teaching your brain needs in order to learn new information)
What might your needs be in the future? -You can plan for regular interval short term support from your therapist as your needs change through your life.

At the end of the evaluation, you should have a good idea of what you'll be learning and working on and how long it'll take to achieve those goals.

Speech therapy is great because you can always go back to work on new goals as your needs in life change. I will often see someone after a new diagnosis. At that time we may get some baseline measures, learn some preventative skills, and set up some environmental supports. We will also do some counseling with the client and family about what to expect as the disease progresses. After that, we may set up maintenance sessions at regular intervals or do short term intensive trainings as the client's needs change. It is individualized and personalized to the exact needs of that client and family.

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