Session 4: Memory & Mental Health

Memory is the most abstract and complex topic presented, but this topic was also very meaningful and was chosen in response to several requests from participants over the first three sessions. The goal of this presentation was to present accurate information and terminology while focusing on clearly communicating the most important points. 

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Neuroscience Concepts:

• ​Overview of the bottom-top model of brain evolution

  • "Cool stuff on top, processing center in the middle, basic operations on the bottom"

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• Implicit memories are simpler, so they are processed by some of the most ancient brain structures, and are stored and retrieved as single units of information

 

• Explicit memories are more complex, get stored in pieces in various locations in the brain, and are retrieved by the frontal lobes, which are responsible for high-level operations

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• Emotional memory storage is an additional topic of focus, allowing many participants with histories of trauma, phobias, and various experiences of intense emotional responses to understand where and why of brain processes during these experiences

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• Sensory memory offers participants a way to tie presented material to their real-time experience of the world around them and lays a foundation for discussing sensory processing later 

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• Working memory's limited capacity (7 +/- 2 things at a time)

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• Integration is a complicated and abstract concept, but presented as clearly as possible through illustration and example

  • ​​The central executive offers participants insight into the term "executive planning," which is often addressed in cognitive assessments and subsequent recommendations

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• Relaxation techniques that promote a parasympathetic state are a good approach to support memory function and learning when anxiety is present.

 

• For many individuals, the processing of specific sensory stimuli present in typical environments may be challenging and represent a challenge to selective attention.

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Occupational Focus Suggestion: Sensory Tools and Assessment

 

• All participants receive a fidget popper bracelet, a popular tool for promoting relaxation by providing simple motor engagement and providing tactile input.

 

• Additionally, participants interested in learning more about their individual sensory processing pattern who are willing to invest time in a multi-page assessment may be offered  the opportunity to complete the Adolescent/Adult Sensory Profile (Brown & Dunn, 2002) and receive results and interpretation.

  • This assessment requires significant time to score and interpret, and may not be feasible to offer large groups