Working Memory Accommodations: 7 Worksheets with Visual Support

⭐ Generator #1: Chart Count (App 013) - #1 RECOMMENDATION

Why Chart Count Eliminates Working Memory Demand

• Visual anchor: Objects remain visible (no need to hold count in memory)
• External reference: Can touch objects while counting (offloads memory to physical action)
• Concrete task: Count what you see (no abstract mental manipulation)
• Chunked: One category at a time (not simultaneous processing)

Working Memory Comparison

Problem: "Count how many students in class like apples, bananas, and oranges. Make a graph."

Student with WM deficit:
1. Asks class: "Who likes apples?" (chunk 1-2: count hands)
2. Tries to remember: "7 students" (chunk 3)
3. Asks: "Who likes bananas?" (chunk 4-5: count hands)
4. Forgets apple count (chunk overload)
5. Result: Incomplete data, frustration

Worksheet: Pre-printed images (5 apples, 7 bananas, 3 oranges)

Student with WM deficit:
1. Counts apples: Touches each, "1, 2, 3, 4, 5" (apples remain visible)
2. Writes: 5 (external record, no memory needed)
3. Counts bananas: Same process
4. Writes: 7
5. Result: Completes task successfully (visual support compensates for WM deficit)

Activity time: 15-20 minutes
Pricing: Core Bundle or Full Access

Generator #2: Shadow Match (App 009)

Why Shadow Match Reduces WM Demand

• Visual reference: Both objects and shadows visible (no memory required)
• One decision at a time: Match one pair, move to next (sequential processing)
• No multi-step logic: Direct visual comparison (not: "If A=B and B=C, then A=C")

Traditional matching (high WM): "Column A has 10 items, Column B has 10 items, match them"
Student: Must remember which items already matched (10+ chunks)

Shadow Match (low WM): "6 objects, 6 shadows, all visible"
Student: Visually scan (no memory required)
Working memory chunks: 2-3 (object features + shadow comparison)

Activity time: 15-20 minutes
Pricing: Core Bundle or Full Access

Generator #3: Big Small Comparison (App 019)

Why Size Comparison Reduces WM Demand

• Binary choice: Only 2 options (big or small, not 5 options)
• Visual task: See size difference (no mental manipulation)
• Immediate decision: Circle answer now (no "hold this thought" requirement)

WM-Friendly Design

• Objects per page: 6-8 (not 15-20, prevents overwhelm)
• Clear visual difference (obviously big vs small, no subtle comparisons)
• One decision per item (not: "Compare A, B, and C, then rank order")

Activity time: 10-15 minutes
Pricing: Core Bundle or Full Access

Generator #4: Coloring (App 001)

Why Coloring Has Zero WM Demand

• No multi-step instructions: Just color
• Visual guide: Lines show boundaries (external reference)
• Self-paced: No time pressure
• No right/wrong: Reduces performance anxiety (anxiety further impairs WM)

Activity time: 15-30 minutes
Pricing: Core Bundle or Full Access

Generator #5: Matchup Maker (App 005) - Image to Image

Why Matching Reduces WM Demand

• Visual reference: Both columns visible simultaneously
• Can revisit: Look back and forth (no need to remember)
• One connection at a time: Sequential matching (not simultaneous processing)

WM Settings

• Pairs: 6-8 (not 12-15, manageable chunk count)
• Type: Image-to-image (not word-to-definition, requires reading + memory)
• Layout: Side-by-side columns (easy visual comparison)

Working memory chunks needed: 2-3 (object A features + scanning column B)
Activity time: 12-20 minutes
Pricing: Core Bundle or Full Access

Generator #6: Pattern Train (App 030) - Simple Patterns

Why Simple Patterns Reduce WM Demand

• Visual pattern: Can see AB pattern (not hold in memory)
• External reference: Completed wagons visible as guide
• Chunked task: One wagon at a time (not: "Remember entire 8-wagon sequence")

WM-Friendly Settings

• Pattern: AB only (not ABC, AABB, ABCD)
• Wagons: 3-4 (not 6-8, short sequence)
• Visual cues: Color-coded (reduces cognitive processing)

AB pattern: "Apple, banana, apple, banana"
WM chunks: 2 (A and B elements)

AABBCC pattern: "Apple, apple, banana, banana, cherry, cherry"
WM chunks: 6+ (3 elements × 2 repetitions + sequence rule)
Result: Overload for deficit student

Activity time: 15-25 minutes
Pricing: Core Bundle or Full Access

Generator #7: Find Objects (I Spy) (App 026) - Modified

Why I Spy Works with Modifications

• Visual search: Target images remain visible on worksheet
• External cue: Teacher can show target image (visual reference)
• Immediate marking: Mark when found (no "remember where I saw it")

Without accommodation:
Teacher: "Find 5 apples" (student must hold mental image of apple + count to 5)
WM chunks: 4-5 (apple features + count tracking)

With accommodation:
Teacher: [Shows apple picture] "Find these"
Student: Looks at teacher's picture while scanning (no memory required)
WM chunks: 2-3 (visual comparison only)

Activity time: 15-25 minutes
Pricing: Core Bundle or Full Access

Goal 1: Following Multi-Step Directions

Goal: "Student will complete 3-step sequential directions with visual support and 80% accuracy by [date]"

Baseline: 2-step directions 50% accuracy (WM overload)

Intervention

Use Chart Count with visual checklist:

• ☐ Count apples
• ☐ Write number
• ☐ Color graph
• Check off each step as completed (external tracking)

Progress monitoring: Weekly observation (% steps completed correctly)
Measurement tool: Chart Count, Pattern Train

Goal 2: Completing Tasks with Visual Anchors

Goal: "Student will complete assigned worksheet tasks using visual reference materials with 85% accuracy by [date]"

Baseline: 60% accuracy without visual support

Intervention

• Provide visual anchor worksheets (Chart Count, Shadow Match)
• Teach strategy: "Look at the worksheet, not just your memory"

Progress monitoring: % accuracy on WM-friendly generators
Measurement tool: All 7 visual-support generators

Accommodation Strategies

• Visual anchors
• Chunked tasks
• Reduce verbal load
• Extended time
• Provide models

IEP Alignment

• Following multi-step directions
• Completing tasks with visual support

Pricing

Core Bundle ($144/year, all WM-friendly generators included)