Does a really bad memory have anything to do with aspergers?

Post Reply New Topic

I had great short term memory until I was about 12 or 13. I could remember each and every time I got in trouble and hope my mom would forget because I would remember. I was in 6th grade and during recess I was playing soccer and got knocked in the head with the ball and passed out for a second. I'm not sure if that or puberty made my brain suck since then at remembering things, but it's possible I have some brain trauma as well. It's possible some of my aspie traits could be related to that trauma (have to stop to process stuff in order to think what to do next). I know an NT who has a horrible memory, and I know NTs with better working brains than mine. I have to write stuff down and have to remember to use a calendar, but I forget to check it. My long term memory is fine though; it must be harder to damage.

All in all, I would say, not an autism thing.

I think there's a problem when you talk about memory in that it can mean very different things to different people, so when someone says they have a 'bad memory' it can be hard to actually know what they mean. The same is true when asking if poor memory is linked to autism, to give a good answer you have to first break down 'memory' into its various components.

There is a link between poor episodic memory and poor working memory with autism (see the essay I posted earlier for an overview if you want). I think there's also a link between poor prospective memory (memory that you have to do something in the future) and autism, possibly related to the episodic or working memory issues. I think prospective memory is what people are generally referring to when they say they have poor memories (i.e. they forget that they have to pick up milk, or something like that, kind of like absent-mindedness).

Other areas of memory are normal to greater than average in autism, for example semantic memory (memory for facts) is normally fine as far as I know (in fact I think autistic individuals may rely on semantic memory to compensate for deficits in other areas).

Personally I have quite poor episodic and working memory, I also have poor semantic memory for 'general knowledge'. However my semantic memory for things I'm interested in can be excellent (sometimes I can read an article or textbook chapter and just memorise it, simply because it was interesting - I wish I could turn this on when I needed it ). Weirdly I can also memorise piano music effortlessly, no idea why but I'm not complaining.

I have an excellent, almost photographic memory.

You could have executive dysfunction as others have suggested, and being distracted is another AS trait, and others have already suggested stress/anxiety. When you walk into a room and forget what it was you had to say, that could be the plain old communication problems. If I look at people when I'm talking I tend to become unfocused and anxious and can't remember what I have to say. I am far better at written communication than I am verbal communication.

In the past I have read that ASD is related to poor short term memory and better long term memory. This was true for me on testing in the past.

ADD.

ADD is most often associated with short term memory events, but the description you give for not being able to recall things from distant past such as during job interviews fits too. Though one may be able to ponder old memories to one's heart's delight while simply daydreaming or just meditating, ADD often causes severe problems recalling even long term memories on demand especially in high pressure environments like interviews or during testings.

ADD is very often co-morbid with AS. I have both and it's a royal pain.

I have a better memory than most people i know.

Welcome to WP

Don't know. I have some of those bad short-term memory traits and have mild aspergers. I lived by lists when things became complicated. You need to investigate it and look at the other aspects too.

There are certain things I can remember well, and when it comes to more complex stuff, it's easy for me to forget.

_________________
LIONS-STAMPEDERS-ELKS-ROUGHRIDERS-BLUE BOMBERS-TIGER-CATS-ARGONAUTS-REDBLACKS-ALOUETTES

The Canadian Football League - What We're Made Of

Feel free to talk to me, if you wish.

Every day is a gift- cherish it!

"A true, true friend helps a friend in need."