Troubling memory lapses?

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This I think has been a long-time issue, but it was notable today. On last Saturday, I observed something highly anomalous at work and reported it. However, when my supervisor and team lead looked at on Monday they didn't see the anomaly and criticized me for sending a pointless report. They also brought it up in a meeting we had yesterday (though they were kind enough not to mention me by name). I did not remember why I had sent it, which was the problem, so I could not defend myself. Suddenly, about 30 minutes after the meeting I decided to check the report and I remembered why I sent it and mentioned to them why and it became more understandable to them.

Now some of you might be thinking, well maybe you send so many such reports that you can't remember each and every single one? No, actually, I send at most 1 or 2 a day and this was pretty recent. Also, I would expect to remember it, due to the highly anomalous nature of the event, and also because doing so would have been beneficial. The event was pretty surprising when I saw it, so to be unable to recall it when it was highly relevant and would have been beneficial is problematic, I think.

I notice I have these issues with memory a lot. It's like I can't recall all the relevant information. I notice I'm bad at tests that ask things like, List all of x that fit in y, and I'm pretty bad at brainstorming. I think this is typical of aspies and auties, so hath anyone else this problem?

I have lots of memory issues. I hope it's just menopause, but I'm not so sure. I tried to think of some instances of memory lapses to write here, but I can't remember them!! I know I have many. Sometimes I forget relatives' names if I don't see them often, and I have chunks of missing memory from when my twins were little (lack of sleep!).
I'm not sure if memory problems are Aspie-related or not. It is very frustrating though, isn't it?

I read that it may be related to Sluggish Cognitive Tempo, which is similar to but different from ADHD. Here's a thread I started on it. Perhaps you can identify with some of the symptoms going back to childhood?

http://www.wrongplanet.net/postt232027.html

But yes! I have lots of problems with examples just as you said. I can look at symptoms and they seem to fit, but I can't think of any examples! Lately, I've been making sure to write a lot of that stuff down, which I think has been helpful for retrieval purposes.

I just spoke with my supervisor again and now instead of criticizing me for sending the notice, he is thanking me! Also during the conversation, the whole context about why I thought it was important to report the issue came back to mind, and it all made perfect sense. I didn't screw up at all!

That's an interesting post, and I can relate uncomfortably well. I've learned to write down any main points I need to cover(with some notice). On the spot, I might remember what I had for breakfast that day. It's difficult to present your viewpoint when you can't call up examples as evidence on any sort of command.

I take people into Dr. Appointments with me (my Mum, fiance, or one very trusted friend) for a lot of reasons, but memory problems is one. I forget the information as it's being told to me, so to try to then relay it to others, or remember instructions, etc. Is really hard. The times it's absolutely not possible for anyone to be with me, I combat the memory issues with a book to write notes in, some people have even said they bring in tape recorders and explain to the doctor it's strictly for recall purposes only since they have a bad memory due to whatever condition is causing the problem. I also find for processing my day, I have more trouble recalling it the day it's happened than the following day sometimes (say my sister and I went for a picnic today, when telling my Mum about it, I'd struggle remembering what I'd done today, but if she asks tomorrow, it's more readily available and I can recall details.)

Memory problems can also be attributed to certain pharmaceuticals, especially anti anxiety or anti depressant medicine.

Thanks twich. I've been using a lot more written notes during my sessions, which I think helps to communicate what's going on to my therapist/psychiatrist. My dad is coming to support me on Tuesday. These issues are longstanding, so I don't think they're due to pharmaceuticals. I also have issues processing the day and find that sleep helps better.

MjrMajorMajor, yes I've been having to write stuff down so I can use it. I find that my therapist/psychiatrist won't really listen if you just make vague statements followed up by "I can't think of any examples, sorry." It helps to have those notes.