Alloway Working Memory Assessment 2

Introduction and updates

Alison Winter

Agenda

1.

Over view of working memory 2.

AWMA (2007) 3.

Revision goals for AWMA 2 4.

Test structure 5.

Introduction to AWMA 2 6.

Q&A 3 Alloway Working Memory Assessment 2 l 2012

Working Memory

Working memory refers to a brain system that provides temporary storage and manipulation of the information necessary for such complex cognitive tasks as language comprehension, learning and reasoning.

(Baddeley, 1992) Associated with reading (Gathercole & Pickering, 2000) and mathematic (Geary et al., 2004) ability 10-15% of all students have working memory deficits (Alloway et al., 2009)

Children with poor working memory make poor academic progress

Of 300 children with poor working memory (Gathercole & Alloway, 2008): • 83% scored poorly on either reading or maths tests the vast majority of these scored poorly in both areas 4 Alloway Working Memory Assessment 2 l 2012

Automated Working Memory Assessment (2007)

• Age range 4-22 • Locally installed (Maximum of 2 computers) • Load on the examiners working memory. • Individual administration. 5 Alloway Working Memory Assessment 2 l 2012

Revision goals for AWMA 2

•Increase the age range •Increase user-friendliness •Enhance clinical utility •Improve psychometric properties.

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Increase Age Range

- Norms increased to 79 yrs

Increase user-friendliness

- Fully automated. - Number of items per block (6 to 4) -Design on test materials -Completely web-based (greater flexibility) 7 Alloway Working Memory Assessment 2 l 2012

Enhanced clinical utility

Special group studies Intellectually gifted Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Mathematics Disorder (Dyscalculia) Reading Disorder (Dyslexia) Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Borderline Intellectual Functioning.

Statistical linkage to measure of attainment.

Improved psychometric properties

Norms Item bias 8 Alloway Working Memory Assessment 2 l 2012

AWMA 2 - Structure

Tests included in AWMA 2

Verbal STM

Digit Recall Letter Recall

Visuo Spatial STM

Dot Matrix Block Recall 9 Alloway Working Memory Assessment 2 l 2012

Verbal WM

Backwards Digit Recall Processing Letter Recall

Visuo Spatial WM

Mr X Backwards Dot Matrix

Test Content

New, Retained and Deleted Retained test Deleted Tests • Digit recall • Backward digit recall • Dot matrix • Block recall • Mr X • Word recall • Non-word recall • Listening recall New tests • Letter recall Verbal WM Verbal STM • Processing Letter Recall • Backward dot matrix spatial WM Visuo 10 Alloway Working Memory Assessment 2 l 2012

Overview AWMA 2

- Author - Tracy Packiam Alloway - Publication Year: 2013 - Age Range: 5 to 79 years - Administration (Individual and group) - Screener: 5 to 7 mins - Short form: 10 to 15 mins - Long form: 30 mins - Qualification Code: CL3 Cost: £175.00 p/a 11 Alloway Working Memory Assessment 2 l 2012

AWMA 2 - Structure

There are three versions of AWMA-2: • AWMA-2 Screener: two working memory tests, suitable for screening WM difficulties.

• AWMA-2 Short Form: four tests; recommended to screen individuals who are suspected to have memory difficulties, but the specific area of their difficulties is not known • AWMA-2 Long Form: all eight tests; recommended for confirmation of significant working memory problems 12 Alloway Working Memory Assessment 2 l 2012

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Q&A

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Thank you