Alloway Working Memory Assessment 2 Introduction and updates

Alloway Working Memory Assessment 2 Introduction and updates Alison Winter

Agenda 3 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 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 • Load installed (Maximum of 2 computers) on the examiners working memory. • Individual 5 administration. 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. 6 Alloway Working Memory Assessment 2 l 2012

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 9 Verbal STM Verbal WM Digit Recall Backwards Digit Recall Letter Recall Processing Letter Recall Visuo Spatial STM Visuo Spatial WM Dot Matrix Mr X Block Recall Backwards Dot Matrix Alloway Working Memory Assessment 2 l 2012

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

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: CL 3 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 14 Alloway Working Memory Assessment 2 l 2012

Thank you