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speech therapy working memory activities for adults

195 Memory and Attention Tasks for Speech Therapy Practice

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Attention Tasks

  • Begin with "A-1" and continue alternating between numbers and letters until I say "Stop". For example: A-1, B-2, C-3…
  • Begin with the number "1" and name an object for each letter of the alphabet starting with "A" and continue until I say "Stop". For example: 1 Apple, 2 Balls, 3 Cars...
  • Tell me boys names for each letter of the alphabet starting with the letter "A".
  • Tell me girls names for each letter of the alphabet starting with the letter "A".
  • Imagine the alphabet printed in capital letters. Now from the beginning recite only those with curves in them." (Answer:  B  C  D  G  J  O  P  Q  R  S  U) 

Memory Tasks

Immediate memory - number sequences.

17  92

23  17

60  58

64  12

92  39

65  78

61  85

43  59

21  66

83  24

7  1  3

6  8  6

8  3  2

1  6  5

4  9  2

9  4  3

8  1  7

1  4  3

9  2  4

7  4  1

68  92  74

13  27  92

58  65  31

64  12  22

99  32  19

17  75  47

60  81  11

43  59  61

27  46  86

84  23  53

3  9  6  2

9  7  4  1

1  5  9  7

2  1  5  8

8  6  3  9

3  3  6  4

6  2  8  3

4  8  2  5

5  4  1  6

7  5  7  1

68  92  74  21

13  27  92  48

58  65  31  72

64  12  22  49

99  32  19  46

17  75  47  53

60  81  11  92

43  59  61  70

27  46  86  51

84  23  53  67

9  3  8  2  7

4  9  7  6  1

7  5  9  1  6

2  8  5  1  3

3  6  4  9  8

6  4  3  5  2

1  3  8  7  5

5  2  6  3  9

8  1  2  4  4

2  7  1  2  6

35  21  68  74  92

56  92  13  48  27

49  72  65  58  31

22  64  58  49  12

87  46  32  99  19

17  28  47  53  96

73  11  92  60  81

62  59  43  70  61

93  51  27  86  46

39  53  67  84  23

SEE ALSO:   The Best Free App for Speech Therapy

speech therapy working memory activities for adults

Immediate Memory - Word Sequences

cat  bear

ball  star

cup  chair

cup  top

door  month

foot  light

hair  dust

horse  bird

hot  pear

ice  kite

pad  plane

rug  bike

shoe  fix

spring  seen

time  night

truck  book

wing  bath

wood  pen

zoo  milk

step  ear  air

bean  rose  plane

bear  shovel  pants

bed  clip  box

beets  pill  slide

board  vase  horse

book  tag  shirt

doll  game  sand

door  light  glass

lamp  toe  silk

leaf  eye  floor

light  hair  plant

lock  dot  bed

log  bath  tree

nail  cup  bed

pan  shoe  knife

pen  sled  beef

soap  hat  bus

soap  jacks  dog

watch  pick  knot

ball  stand  comb  owl

ant  paint  bell  whale

bell  flag  ink  clay

brick  nut  frog  pie

dress  lamp  bed  plant

drum  pond  bag  cake

dust  broom  can  tea

foot  land  back  fish

hole  tug  shop  lake

jam  skate  moth  pan

peach  beard  spoon  pot

race  cat  desk  tack

scale  oil  bead  salt

seed  tie  fork  eye

silk  ghost  bin  shelf

sit  crib  bow  train

soap  fort  tray  nurse

stove  grass  pail  jet

tape  fire  key  spool

wheel  gown  blue  box

bone  heart  ice  sand  tin  

ball  pin  ant  saw  tent

boot  chest  hair  oar  board

cloud  brush  mop  cave  rink

coach  star  dog  boot  coal

dance  dump  dirt  bull  ox

felt  fish  beach  oar  skate

kite  glue  rock  stone  smoke

paste  milk  chalk  clock  wall

rail  spike  gate  barn  nest

rake  toy  vase  chest  sheet  mop

sand  sun  mud  wire  print

seed  pond  fly  dock  lamb

shell  house  string  drop  rain

sit  squash  net  cage  pole

stalk  suds  glass  barn  rose

stool  queen  egg  shell  dig

switch  stork  stairs  swan  coat

wheel  cone  clown  car  horn

wrench  sheet  cup  drop  bee

Recent Memory

  • Besides the people who work here, who have you seen today?
  • How long have you been in this location?
  • What building are you in?
  • What day of the week is it?
  • What did you do right before you came to see me?
  • What did you eat for breakfast today?
  • What is the first thing you did this morning?
  • What month is it?
  • What will you do when you finish here?
  • Who is your doctor (or teacher for a child)?

SEE ALSO:   The Best Books for Speech Therapy Practice

Speech therapy books for targeting multiple goals

Remote Memory

  • What are two primary political parties?
  • What war involved the North and the South?
  • Where is our nation's capitol?
  • Where is the state capitol?
  • Who discovered America?
  • Who freed the slaves?
  • Who is our Governor?
  • Who is our President?
  • Who was Helen Keller?
  • Who was the first President?

Temporal Orientation

  • About what time do you think it is?
  • How long have you been in this building?
  • What date is it?
  • What is next month?
  • What season are we in?
  • What was last month?
  • What was our last holiday?
  • What year is it?

We know life is busy , but if you're reading this you're probably someone who cares about helping their loved one as much as you can.

Practice 5-10 minutes whenever you can, but try to do it on a consistent basis (daily).

Please, please, please use this list to practice.

It will be a great benefit to you and your loved one's progress.

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speech therapy working memory activities for adults

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Speech Therapy Memory Activities for Adults: Enhancing Cognitive Skills

Christopher Ravn

Delve into the transformative power of speech therapy memory activities for adults in our new blog post. We explore enriching exercises that can enhance cognitive skills and stimulate mental acuity . You will discover some effective strategies that have empowered individuals to experience improvements in memory, thought articulation, and meaningful communication.

These therapeutic approaches address memory challenges and help with brain health . Join us as we journey through all that speech therapy has to offer for enhancing cognitive skills.

an-older-man-speaking-to-a-younger-woman-for-speech-therapy-memory-activities-for-adults

Christopher Ravn

Key takeaways.

1. There are many great speech therapy memory activities for adults, including word association, storytelling, word repetition, and pattern recognition. 2. Different types of activities target different kinds of cognitive issues, including short-term memory loss and aphasia. 3. There have been many impressive success stories and lots of compelling research that demonstrates the effectiveness of speech therapy for memory. 4. Combining speech therapy with complementary techniques, like light therapy and other innovative approaches, may enhance the outcomes even further.

Table of Contents

1. Exploring Speech Therapy Memory Activities for Adults: What You Need to Know 2. Addressing Memory Loss Through Speech Therapy: Is it Possible? 3. Types of Memory Activities Used in Speech Therapy and language pathology 4. How Can Speech Therapy Enhance Memory in Adults? 5. What Are Effective Short-Term Memory Activities in Speech Therapy? 6. What Are Effective Long-Term Memory Activities in Speech Therapy? 7. Frequently Asked Questions About Speech Therapy Memory Activities for Adults

The Best Speech Therapy Memory Activities for Adults

Memory does more than you might think for our day-to-day lives. It influences the ways we communicate and connect with others. Taking part in speech therapy memory activities can help strengthen cognitive skills and give adults a new approach to navigating memory challenges. Let’s explore some effective activities , like word association and memory journals, that are designed to stimulate memory.

  • Word Association: This is a back-and-forth designed to connect emotions or personal experiences with words. For example, if the word given is ‘orange’, the participant might recall a specific memory related to oranges and strengthen neural connections.
  • Memory Journals: In this, we encourage adults to jot down significant events or thoughts each day. This helps enhance memory recall and provides a tangible record of experiences.
  • Storytelling: Here, you practice narrating personal stories from your memory. This strengthens those memories and also hones communications skills, making you better able to articulate thoughts well.
  • Rhyme Recognition: A memory therapy activity in which adults are encouraged to identify rhyming words. This exercises memory and contributes to a stronger phonological awareness, which is essential for communicating effectively.
  • Discussion Groups: By taking part in group discussions like book clubs, participants must recall and discuss specific details from a book. This fosters memory and social interactions, so it is a powerful memory exercise via speech therapy.
  • Sequencing: Work with a partner to recall and order sequential events. This might mean detailing a morning routine or recounting steps in a recipe; however you do it, the participant is forced to practice recall and strengthen neurological connections.

Taking part in memory speech therapy activities for adults can address memory challenges and support a wider approach to brain health . Incorporate these activities into daily life to enhance memory skills and develop sharper cognitive abilities.

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Best Speech Short-Term Memory Activities for Adults

When it comes to short-term memory activities via speech therapy, there are a few highly effective approaches for adults:

  • Word Repetition: Hear a series of words and aim to recall them in the correct order to sharpen quick memory recall.
  • Number sequences: Try to memorize number sequences, enhancing memory and other cognitive skills.
  • Category Naming: Swiftly name items within a specific category to stimulate associative memory.
  • Story Retelling: Listen to a short story, then attempt to retell it to enhance narrative recall.
  • Listening Exercises: Take part in focused listening tasks, recalling details when prompted from spoken passages to improve auditory memory.
  • Pattern Recognition: Identify patterns and attempt to replicate them, fostering spatial and visual memory skills.
  • Object Memory: Briefly look at a set of objects, then attempt to recall them all to refine your visual memory.

These memory activities involving speech therapy for adults sharpen short-term memory and contribute to overall cognitive agility.

Exploring Speech Therapy Memory Activities for Adults: What You Need to Know

Short-term memory therapy activities play a pivotal role in adult speech therapy. They can be a gateway to cognitive rehabilitation and improving communication. Memory exercises stimulate the brain, helping to form new neural connections. This kind of active mental engagement is fundamental to recovering and refining cognitive functions , especially with regards to memory recall.

  • Word association
  • Storytelling
  • Pattern recognition

Addressing Memory Loss Through Speech Therapy: Is it Possible?

Speech therapy memory activities can be a powerful component of addressing memory loss in some cases. The causes of memory loss vary, but can include:

  • Neurological conditions
  • Traumatic brain injuries

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Success Rates and Limitations

The true rate of success for short-term memory exercises via speech therapy varies among adults . One key factor is the underlying cause of the memory loss . The approach may be helpful in improving memory recall and cognitive skills, but complete restoration may not be possible for everyone. Studies have shown that people with memory challenges who participate in speech therapy recover more of their cognitive abilities than people who don’t. In terms of realistic expectations regarding memory activities in speech therapy for adults, noticeable memory improvement is a real possibility. Individuals should find themselves able to navigate daily tasks with ease. Speech therapy is not a cure , but it is a valuable tool in mitigating the impact of memory loss. And you can combine it with other techniques , like green light therapy, for further improvements in cognitive wellbeing.

Types of Memory Activities Used in Speech Therapy and language pathology

Speech and language pathology memory activities employ diverse activities tailored to address short-term memory challenges and aphasia . Individuals experiencing memory concerns can see substantial improvements in their cognitive skills. For short-term memory , common techniques include:

  • Word Repetition: Individuals will be asked to listen to a sequence of words then repeat them in order to sharpen immediate memory recall.
  • Number sequencing: Similar to word repetition, this activity involves looking at or hearing a sequence of numbers then attempting to repeat it back verbally.
  • Category Naming: Looking at groups of images linked by a category and attempting to name them all as quickly as possible. For aphasia, activities are more centered around rebuilding language and communication skills:
  • Story Retelling: This is where you listen to a short story then attempt to recount it, improving narrative recall.
  • Listening Exercises: Here, participants must recall details from spoken passages to enhance auditory memory.
  • Pattern Recognition: Individuals must identify and replicate patterns to foster spatial memory skills. Individual needs and goals are the main variable for choosing the right activity for short-term memory therapy activities via speech. Therapists will consider the individual’s ability to repeat and recall sequences and tailor the exercises to the patient’s cognitive abilities. Aphasia patients will be assessed for the severity of their language impairment, and the memory activities will be selected accordingly. For example, story retelling may be the best option for an individual who struggles with verbal expression. The approach from therapists is always centered around the patient . The strengths and challenges of the individual are assessed, including things like:
  • Cognitive abilities
  • Communication goals
  • Personal interests

In practice, therapists have seen individuals regain the ability to recall recent events or express thoughts coherently. An individualized approach to speech therapy memory activities for adults is effective, meaningful, and relevant to the patient’s unique journey.

two-men-looking-at-a-book-together-for-speech-therapy-memory-activities-for-adults

How Can Speech Therapy Enhance Memory in Adults?

Speech therapy employs targeted exercises and a patient-centered therapeutic approach to enhance memory. Short-term memory exercises in speech therapy, like number sequencing or word repetition, sharpen immediate recall . Memory activities for adults with aphasia, like story retelling and listening exercises, improve memory and rebuild language skills .

The work of therapists is tailored to individual needs , determined at the therapist’s discretion. There have been countless success stories wherein individuals have regained the ability to recall recent events and express thoughts coherently. This highlights the effectiveness of speech therapy memory activities for adults.

Integrating Memory Strategies in Daily Life

To incorporate memory strategies into day-to-day life, you should implement them in your daily routines . Use visual aids like calendars to prompt yourself, and practice mindfulness every day. You could assign 30-60 minutes each day to partake in memory exercises like:

  • Memory games
  • Speech therapy with a partner

It can be particularly beneficial to combine the memory activities of speech therapy for adults with other things, like light therapy, which may yield additional benefits for cognitive health. Applying memory techniques beyond therapy sessions helps reinforce neural connections . This is vital for sustained cognitive improvement.

What Are Effective Short-Term Memory Activities in Speech Therapy?

The short-term memory therapy activities that have consistently proven themselves to be the most effective are:

  • Word repetition
  • Number sequencing
  • Category naming

We have described these activities in more detail earlier in this post. They are effective because they engage the brain in rapid recall , sharpening your immediate memory functions. Individuals are challenged to repeat sequences or swiftly name items belonging to a certain category, fostering stronger neural connections.

With regular practice of these speech therapy memory activities for adults, there may be significant improvements in short-term memory . This empowers individuals with valuable tools for getting by in daily tasks.

Adapting Activities for Individual Needs

Speech therapists are able to adapt short-term memory activities for adults to individual needs by considering:

  • Personal preferences

Regular feedback is crucial in ensuring the correct level of activities is presented. Therapists can modify their approach based on feedback from patients , cultivating a truly personalized approach aligned with the patient’s capabilities. This may also help foster engagement and motivation to persevere and see better results.

What Are Effective Long-Term Memory Activities in Speech Therapy?

  • Memory Journals: These encourage individuals to document significant events each day to reinforce memory recall over time.
  • Storytelling: This is where patients must recall and narrate personal stories to enhance memory and communication skills.
  • Discussion Groups: Groups encourage participants to recall and discuss details to foster social interactions and long-term memory.

With consistent practice of these memory therapy activities, patients may experience sustained improvements in long-term memory. This empowers people to recall and share meaningful events with greater cognitive power.

a-happy-couple-taking-a-selfie-for-speech-therapy-memory-activities-for-adults

Innovative Speech Therapy Techniques for Memory Enhancement

Innovative speech therapy memory activities take advantage of things like apps and virtual platforms to enrich speech therapy. There may be benefits to incorporating light therapy , like the functions of EVY LIGHT, as research has indicated great promise for this practice. Tech-focused speech therapy memory enhancement options include:

  • Virtual Reality Memory Games
  • Interactive Apps
  • Neurofeedback Training
  • Cognitive Training Software

Challenges may arise with a completely technology-oriented approach, as many advocate for the importance of human connection in speech therapy. But the most important thing is engagement . Individuals must actively participate in memory activities for adult speech therapy, whether they are tech-focused or not. This increases the chances of a successful outcome that improves memory and overall brain health.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Speech Therapy Memory Activities for Adults

What are the best memory activities for adults in speech therapy.

The best activities include word repetition, category recognition, and number sequences. But there are many other highly effective techniques to explore in speech therapy.

Can Speech Therapy Significantly Improve Memory in Adults?

With the right approach and consistent engagement , adults can experience noticeable improvements in memory and speech from taking part in speech therapy memory activities.

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Working Memory

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Working memory (WM) refers to the memory needed to hear something, remember it, and then use it to complete a task.

Example:  A child is presented with the question “what is 2 + 2?” To answer it, he or she uses WM to process the question, do the calculation, and then give an answer.

Language abilities highly depend on this type of memory.

speech therapy working memory activities for adults

Memory Techniques To Practice At Home

A child can learn memory techniques at home and at a young age. Let’s start good habits early!

Techniques to learn:

  • Visualization:  Make a mental picture of something you hear. Now, you have 2 ways to recall information: a visual image and the auditory message.
  • Rehearsal:  This may be the most common technique. To remember something, repeat it over and over and over out loud! 
  • Chunking : Remembering items in groups is easier than remembering items separately. It is easier to remember a phone number in 2 chunks, 555-2929, instead of 7 separate numbers 5552929.
  • Visual Reminders:   Visual reminders include post-it-notes, calendars, schedules, alarm clocks, etc...

Memory Games

working memory game

1. Modified Simon Says:  A leader says a direction “Simon says touch your toes.” Before taking a turn, the other player has to repeat the direction out loud, at least once! This is practicing “rehearsal.”

2. Zoo Game:  This is great for SOOOO many reasons.  Talk about animals in the zoo while practicing visualization.  What does your animal look like? What does your animal do? Where does your animal live? What is your animal doing right now? Make it silly or real. 

3. Visual Reminders : This isn’t a game, but I had to mention it. Make a morning schedule out of pictures. Print pictures for getting dressed, eating breakfast, brushing teeth, playing a game, etc... Your child can “refer” to the chart to “remember” what is next! Have your child help make the schedule in the morning. For free daily schedules,  click here. 

4. Memory!:  The simple game of memory works on visualization without even trying. You can even practice saying, out loud, where a picture is located (rehearsal).

They key here is to “over practice” memory techniques hoping they will become automatic. So squeeze in lots of practice throughout the day. 

Working Memory & Language Development

Working memory (WM) affects language development. When we hear sentences, the brain has to hold on to the information, process it, and properly store it.

This processing happens at the sound level and at the word level. At the sound level, our brain decodes sounds and then uses that “decoded message” to decide what word it just heard. 

At the word level, our brain must hear words, make sense of them, put them together, and then remember them long enough to complete the direction. 

Children with WM difficulties may appear to have attention or behavior issues. Learning memory compensations will help to decrease attention issues and improve language skills. Memory is extremely important for academic success.

Can Memory Improve Through Therapy?

This is a controversial question. My answer is no! Some people would disagree and a lot of those people are usually selling an expensive computer program promising a cure.

I would save my money if I were you and AVOID them!

Instead, you must compensate, compensate, and compensate some more!

Where To Go Next?

Practice the strategies listed above during daily activities like helping mommy remember the grocery list.

Also, explore other compensatory strategies such as calendars, alarms, highlights. One thing that technology is AWESOME for is compensating for working memory deficits. 

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There will be a variety of language and articulation materials that can be used to support listening, learning, speaking, and memory skills. I will also give tips on how to use the materials best. 

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Working Memory Activities - Printable & Digital

speech therapy working memory activities for adults

Working memory (WM) is a vital cognitive function that helps us process information, make decisions, and learn effectively. It is a primary function we use every day.  In this article, we will explore what working memory is, its components, and, most importantly, how you may enhance it through engaging activities.

What is Working Memory?

Working memory is a cognitive system that allows us to hold and manipulate information temporarily. Think of it as your brain’s workspace where you actively process data for various mental tasks. It’s like your mental notepad, where you jot down and perform mental operations on important information.

Here are 7 Working Memory Activities:

Working memory may be improved and strengthened through targeted activities. Here are some engaging exercises that may boost your client’s cognitive skills:

1.) Memory Exercises : Our library of memory exercises has something for everyone. From verbal memory exercises to visual memory, engaging with our exercises may improve your working memory. Check out our library →

2.) Dual N-Back Training : This cognitive training task involves remembering visual and auditory stimuli sequences. It has been found to enhance working memory capacity. Our exercise, Two-timing, is based on this style of exercise. Give it a try here →

3.) Meditation and Mindfulness : Practicing meditation and mindfulness may improve attention control, a vital aspect of working memory.

4.) Chunking : Break down complex information into smaller, manageable chunks may ease the cognitive load on your working memory.

5.) Visualization : Engage in activities that require mental visualization, such as mental mapping, storytelling, or imagining familiar places. Try our digital exercise, An American in Paris →

6.) Listening to Music : Listen to classical or instrumental music, which may positively impact working memory and concentration. 

7.) Worksheets: Worksheets are a great way to practice your memory without looking at a computer screen. Some people enjoy doing sudoku puzzles, while others enjoy memory-focused worksheets .

speech therapy working memory activities for adults

How Does Working Memory Operate?

Components of working memory.

Working memory consists of three main components: The Phonological Loop, the Visuospatial Sketchpad, and the Central Executive. 

Phonological Loop (inner voice)

The phonological loop is the system that obtains information from either written or spoken language. It has two distinct parts: the phonological store and the articulatory control process. These parts work independently from each other but share information.

The phonological store is the inner ear; it stores information that is heard for a few seconds. This is where verbal short-term memories are held during a conversation.

The   articulatory control process . This inner voice interprets and rehearses the information from the phonological store. It is used during a conversation in constructing and producing the words. You are currently using it while you read this page.

Visuospatial Sketchpad (inner eye)

The visuospatial sketchpad encodes and stores visual and spatial information. This means it stores objects, images, and visual-spatial information. Spatial information refers to the way people know their location in relation to other objects. For example, visuospatial sketchpad allows people to remember that they have a water cup next to them or where they parked their car. 

Central Executive

This component acts, directs attention, and coordinates the processed sensory information. It plays a crucial role in task-switching and decision-making. It is essentially the filter and the brain’s manager. 

speech therapy working memory activities for adults

Importance of Working Memory

Strong working memory is crucial for academic performance, problem-solving abilities, and daily functioning. It helps children learn in the classroom, professionals make strategic decisions, and individuals operate daily living. Still don’t believe us?  Here are some of the ways we use working memory on the daily. 

  • Learning and Problem Solving: WM allows us to hold and process information relevant to a task or problem. It’s essential for activities like reading comprehension, mathematical calculations, and understanding complex concepts. When learning new information or solving problems, we use it to keep track of relevant details and make connections between different pieces of information.
  • Attention and Focus:   WM helps us maintain focus on a task by holding relevant information in mind while filtering out distractions. This is particularly important in today’s world, where we are constantly bombarded with information from various sources.
  • Language Processing: Language comprehension and production rely heavily on working memory. When we listen to someone speaking, we need to hold onto the beginning of a sentence while processing its later parts to understand the full meaning. Similarly, constructing sentences during speech or writing involves manipulating words and grammar rules in real-time, which requires working memory resources.
  • Decision Making: Making decisions often involves considering multiple factors and evaluating potential outcomes. WM enables us to hold different pieces of information about the options, weigh their pros and cons, and ultimately arrive at a decision.
  • Planning and Execution: When planning a sequence of actions, WM helps us keep track of the steps we need to take. For example, following a recipe, assembling furniture, or even navigating through a complex environment all rely on the ability to hold and manipulate relevant information.
  • Creativity: Creative thinking involves making connections between seemingly unrelated ideas or concepts. Working memory plays a role in maintaining these diverse elements in mind while exploring novel ways to combine them.
  • Learning and Academic Performance: Working memory is closely linked to academic success. Students with better working memory tend to have an easier time grasping new concepts, following instructions, and recalling information during exams.
  • Daily Functioning: Many routine activities, such as remembering a phone number long enough to dial it or following a set of directions to reach a destination, depend on working memory.
  • Working memory is essential for encoding sensory information 
  • The visuospatial sketchpad is our ability to temporarily hold visual and spatial memory, while the phonological loop temporarily holds verbal information.
  • There are many ways to strengthen our working memory, and we should all try and strength our working memory. 

Learn more:

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What is Memory?

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Speech therapy worksheets.

A Trusted Resource for Effective and Fun Adult Speech Therapy Activities

If you’re seeking comprehensive speech therapy exercises for adults, you’re in the right place. Our PDF downloads cover a wide spectrum of speech exercises, from articulation to fluency. These resources are an great addition on your journey to better speech and communication therapy sessions.

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speech therapy working memory activities for adults

Verbal Working Memory

$ 15.00.

Dive into a world of crafts and fantasy stories, while exercising your verbal working memory and concentration skills with our thoughtfully designed cognitive exercise packet. This engaging and nostalgic packet draws inspiration from childhood joys, making the exercises not only beneficial but also reminiscent of fun times. Enjoy these verbal working memory worksheets including the following exercises:

Pay Attention : Recall numbers in a specific order to sharpen your attention and memory skills. This exercise mimics the fun of counting games and number puzzles from childhood.

Elephant Memory : Recall words presented in new contexts, enhancing your verbal memory. This exercise brings back the joy of word games and storytelling.

Private Eye : Search for a different item among a grid of matching items, practicing your scanning and concentration abilities. This activity is reminiscent of hidden object games and puzzles.

Seize the Keywords : Memorize key elements of a text and put them in order, practicing comprehension and verbal memory. This exercise takes you back to the fun of reading and summarizing stories.

This packet is perfect for seniors looking to stimulate their cognitive skills while enjoying nostalgic exercises, and anyone recovering from a brain injury or stroke who is ready for some challenging cognitive practice.

Each exercise is designed to evoke happy memories while providing a rigorous mental challenge. Whether you’re an adult looking to stay mentally fit, a senior aiming to maintain cognitive health, or a student seeking to improve academic skills, this packet offers valuable and enjoyable activities. Enhance your verbal working memory, improve your concentration, and enjoy the nostalgic journey with this delightful and effective cognitive exercise packet!

What is inside: 43 verbal working memory worksheets and bridging questions.

Unlock the power of memory — explore our full library of memory worksheets today! →

speech therapy working memory activities for adults

Semantic Memory Activities

Embark on a semantic memory adventure with our comprehensive packet featuring 42 unique language activities. This packet is designed to stimulate various forms of semantic memory. Whether you’re looking to challenge spatial and verbal memory or enhance word recall and comprehension, this packet offers various engaging exercises to elevate cognitive skills.

Begin your journey with “ Words, Where are You ?”—an activity that tests spatial and verbal memory by prompting you to recall words and their locations on a grid. This serves as a warm-up to prepare your semantic memory for the challenges ahead. Next, dive into “ Root it Out ,” where you’ll challenge your ability to recall words through specific tasks, providing a fun and effective way to stimulate semantic memory.

Continue your exploration with “ Split Words, ” a puzzle activity that encourages you to connect broken words. This may foster connections and stimulate visual semantic memory. Lastly, immerse yourself in “ This Story is Full of Blanks ,” an expressive semantic memory exercise in which you fill in missing words from a word bank to complete the story or poem.

While some activities may require higher language functions, individuals of varying ages and cognitive abilities can benefit from this packet. While younger individuals may find certain tasks challenging. We believe that a 7th grader could successfully complete all activities with guidance and support. Adults of all ages and abilities should enjoy these activities. Your senior clients will have fun completing these challenges.

What is inside: 42 unique semantic memory activities and bridging questions.

Unlock the power of l anguage and memory —explore our full library of language worksheets today. Embark on a journey of cognitive discovery! →

speech therapy working memory activities for adults

Bridging Workbook 3

Active listening skills, $ 12.00.

Are you ready to elevate your listening skills to new heights? Look no further than this ‘Listen Up!’ bridging workbook. This workbook will become your client’s comprehensive guide to sharpen their ability to comprehend, remember, and act upon spoken instructions effectively. Nevertheless, it is designed to simulate real-life scenarios and presents an immersive experience tailored to bridge the gap between passive hearing and active listening.

What sets this workbook apart?

  • Realistic Scenarios: Imagine you’re in a lifelike situation where you receive a long voicemail from your boss. As you listen, you’ll need to grasp the content, remember the tasks assigned, and plan your day accordingly—just like you would in a professional setting.
  • Adaptability: Whether you’re a novice or a seasoned listener, “Listen Up!” is crafted to meet you where you are. With the ability to adapt to your client’s proficiency, this workbook ensures a personalized learning journey for every user.
  • Comprehensive Exercises: Dive into a range of exercises meticulously designed to enhance listening skills. From comprehension drills to memory challenges, each activity is crafted to hone specific abilities crucial for effective listening in any context. These exercises are fully inspired by those available on our digital platform .
  • Practical Application: Beyond mere theory, “Listen Up!” emphasizes practical application. As you progress through the workbook, you’ll find yourself better equipped to navigate real-world situations with confidence and precision.

Who can benefit from “Listen Up!”?

  • Return to Work individuals: Get actual work activities without the real work stress. Practice mastering the art of active listening, a skill highly valued in any professional environment.
  • Students: Excel in academic settings by improving your ability to understand lectures, follow instructions, and retain key information effectively.
  • Language Learners: Perfect for language learners looking to sharpen their listening skills and comprehend spoken language with greater accuracy and confidence.

Ready to take your listening skills to the next level?

Invest in yourself today with the “Listen Up!” Workbook. Whether you’re aiming for professional growth, academic success, or personal development, this workbook is your essential companion on the journey to becoming a proficient and confident listener. Start your transformation now and unlock a world of opportunities with “Listen Up!”. In fact, if you like this workbook, make sure to check out our other bridging workbooks today! → 

Included inside: 7 activity pages, 1 video, and a total completion time of at least 20 minutes.

Disclaimer: Results may vary based on individual effort and dedication.

spring speech language activities

Mini-packet #91

Split words.

Embark on a Spring Speech Language Adventure with this fun mini! Dive into our Spring-inspired Splitwords mini and unlock the season’s magic through engaging language challenges. Explore the beauty of spring speech-language activities and embark on a journey of linguistic enrichment today.

Unlock the Essence of Spring:

Spring heralds a time of renewal, marking the end of hibernation and the onset of vibrant journeys towards summer. As nature awakens from its wintry slumber, it offers a canvas of new experiences and possibilities. Immerse yourself in the vibrant spring world with our Spring-inspired Splitwords mini, where the season’s magic unfolds through captivating language challenges.

Step into a world of linguistic exploration with our delightful mini, featuring 7 engaging grids of broken words awaiting restoration. Each word puzzle unlocks the vivid colors and lively activities synonymous with spring, providing a dynamic platform for speech-language enrichment.

Tailored for Language Enthusiasts:

Crafted for individuals aged 8 and above, this worksheet is designed to captivate language enthusiasts of all levels. Whether you’re a seasoned linguist or a budding language learner, our spring-themed challenges offer an enriching experience for everyone.

Included inside: 7 grids of spring-related broken words and bridging questions.

Discover More:

Extend the spring speech-language journey with our comprehensive collection of language-inspired worksheets. From seasonal themes to everyday topics, our library offers a wealth of resources to enhance communication skills. →

auditory memory activities for adults

Mini-packet #89

You've got voicemail.

Rebuilding life skills after a brain injury is a journey of resilience, and auditory memory plays a pivotal role in this recovery process. That’s why we’ve crafted specialized auditory memory activities for adults, carefully designed to mirror real-life experiences as closely as possible. These activities serve as exercises and practical tools to enhance daily functioning.

How It Works:

Engage your clients in an immersive experience by playing the video and inviting them to listen to a lifelike voicemail. The scenario mirrors real-world situations, providing a dynamic platform for auditory memory practice. After listening attentively, clients can tackle the worksheet questions, applying their memory recall skills to answer thought-provoking queries.

Rooted in Auditory Memory Excellence:

This activity is an extension of our auditory memory exercise, “ You’ve got Voicemail ,” a program designed to fortify auditory memory skills. The goal is to bridge the gap between traditional exercises and real-life scenarios, promoting practical memory application that aligns seamlessly with day-to-day challenges.

The Goal of “You’ve Got Voicemail”:

The overarching objective is to empower individuals in their post-brain injury journey. By immersing them in authentic auditory experiences, we aim to enhance their recall of information, foster cognitive resilience, and promote a smoother reintegration into everyday life.

What’s Inside:

  • 3 Lifelike voicemail videos
  • 3 worksheets with real-life questions
  • Bridging questions for enhanced engagement

Empower Recovery with Real-Life Auditory Memory:

Our auditory memory activities for adults go beyond routine exercises, providing a bridge to real-world scenarios. Elevate the recovery journey post-brain injury with our auditory memory exercises. Explore our other auditory memory worksheets and build a comprehensive library of exercises and activities designed to empower and inspire →

visual processing speed activities, pizza processing speed activities

Mini-packet #88

Gulf stream.

Is your client a pizza aficionado? If you’re looking to spice up their routine while honing visual processing speed skills, you’ve found the perfect solution with our fun and engaging visual processing speed activities! Dive into the delectable world of pizza featured in this mini and hit play on the video to unravel the delightful surprises. Crafted around our cherished digital exercise,  Gulf Stream, this pizza-themed exercise will be fun and enjoyable for all ages!  Seamlessly integrate it into your group therapy sessions or classrooms, transforming it into a lively warm-up that encourages participants to develop laser-sharp focus.

The versatility of this worksheet knows no bounds. Tailored for a broad audience and carefully curated for those aged 5 and older. We envision not only youngsters but also seniors finding immense joy in completing these visually stimulating and mentally invigorating activities.

If the pizza-themed visual processing speed activities resonate with you, why not take it a step further? Explore our full digital exercise, Gulf Stream, by clicking on the banner below. Immerse yourself in a sample of our exercise today and discover a world where learning meets enjoyment.

  • 3 Engaging Activities
  • 3 Entertaining Videos
  • Bridging Questions for Enhanced Engagement

Explore the complete range of attention -grabbing worksheets in our library. Elevate your client’s visual processing speed and cognitive skills with our entire collection!

visual perception activities

Mini-packet #87

Entangled figures.

Immerse yourself in a captivating blend of visual attention, visual memory, and processing speed with our latest hybrid. Based on the digital exercise “ Entangled Figures ” this one is extra hard because of the time restraints. This innovative activity presents an intriguing challenge where participants must decipher each blob on the screen and match it with the corresponding section in the packet. A dynamic fusion of mental acuity and quick thinking, this mini is designed to enhance visual perception in an engaging and entertaining way!

Why Choose Our Visual Perception Challenge Mini:

  • Navigate through intricate entangled figures, sharpening your ability to focus and discern details with precision.
  • Train your mind to process complex visual stimuli efficiently.
  • Challenge and enhance your visual memory as you decipher and remember the unique features of each entangled figure.
  • Strengthen memory recall skills through interactive engagement.
  • Feel the rush of excitement as you tackle the entangled figures within a time-constrained environment.
  • Improve processing speed through quick decision-making and on-the-spot problem-solving.

Perfect for Ages 6+: Tailored for ages 6 and above, this mini provides a stimulating cognitive exercise suitable for children, adolescents, and adults alike. Whether you’re a parent looking for an engaging activity for your child or an educator seeking a valuable addition to your curriculum, this visual perception challenge offers a versatile solution.

Make cognitive development a thrilling journey with our Visual Perception Challenge Mini. Ideal for individuals, families, or classrooms, this activity promises not just entertainment but a pathway to improved visual perception skills.

Include inside: 6 activities, 3 videos and bridging questions.

If you like this, check out the rest of our library of visual perception worksheets → 

executive function strategy worksheets

Enjoy the final harvest of the year with this fun executive function strategy worksheet packet! These executive functioning activities are fall harvest-themed to help bridge the world of worksheets to the working world. Our scientifically based executive functioning activities are a fantastic choice for both children and adults.

What’s Included in Our Fall-Themed Language Worksheets:

  • Count the Harvest: Exercise your counting ability by sorting baskets full of different fruits in this printable version of The Right Count . This exercise is the perfect warm-up to start all of the calculating functions in your client’s brain.
  • Categorizing Words: A critical component of executive functioning is the ability to categorize. Immerse your client in this fun language-based strategy activity as they complete this printable version of Secret Files.
  • Points of View: A printed version of our digital tool, have your client practice figuring out where they are in space by using the points of view.
  • Towers of Hanoi: Lastly, practice holding images in your mind as you strategize how you are going to move the pieces around.

Why Choose Our Executive Function Strategy Worksheet Packet #57?

  • Professionally designed for a fall-inspired experience.
  • Suitable for all ages, from kids (13+) to adults.
  • High-quality, printable PDF format.
  • Instant download so you can begin your fall journey right away.

Included inside: 30 strategy worksheets and bridging questions.

In fact, if you like this packet, explore our other executive functioning worksheets →

fill in the blanks poems for adults

Mini-packet #84

This story is full of blanks.

Say goodbye to monotonous fill-in-the-blank poems for adults! Step into a realm of creativity and engagement with our seasonally-themed mini. This carefully curated mini-collection isn’t just a set of poems; it’s a catalyst for dynamic conversations with your participants. Dive into the pages adorned with thoughtful seasonal verses that act as windows to shared experiences. Whether it’s the crisp embrace of autumn or the blooming vitality of spring, each poem is a bridge to the rich tapestry of memories woven into the seasons. Tailored for adults and advanced reading clients, this Story is Full of Blanks mini is not just a worksheet; it’s a therapeutic endeavor. Particularly valuable for those who have faced strokes or are grappling with aphasia, the fill-in-the-blank activity may just become a conduit for expression and connection, a tool to rebuild and strengthen cognitive pathways.

The versatility of this worksheet extends to a broad audience, suitable for ages 13 and older. We envision not only individuals but also seniors finding joy in completing these activities, fostering a sense of camaraderie in group settings. Seasons play a pivotal role in our mental well-being; this worksheet accentuates that connection. As participants engage with the seasons, we believe that their cognition will not just thrive but flourish.

Include inside: 6 activities and bridging questions.

If you like this, check out the rest of our library of language worksheets → 

printable fall activities, printable fall worksheets for adults, fall worksheets for adults

Verbal and Visual Memory - Giving Thanks

Get ready for a delightful autumn experience with our Printable Fall Language Worksheets! These captivating scientifically based language-based activities are adorned with charming fall themes, making them a fantastic choice for both children and adults. These activities are perfect for spicing up your fall celebrations, adding educational fun to classroom settings, or bringing extra warmth to group therapy sessions.

  • The Right Alphabet: Exercise your language skills by sorting this language adapted from our digital exercise, The Right Count . This exercise is the perfect warm-up to start all of the language functions in your client’s or students’ brains.
  • Fall Fables Pieced Together: Immerse your client in delightful fall words as they have to fix the fragments in this printable version of Splitwords .
  • Pumpkin Carving Memory: A real-life experience has entered the pages of this workbook. We’ve adapted Restaurant to be a pumpkin carving for customer edition.
  • You’ve Got Voicemail: Lastly, dive into your voicemail box as your clients read messages from their friends and answer questions about their plans.

Why Choose Our Printable Fall Language Worksheets:

  • Suitable for all ages, from kids to adults.
  • Reusable for autumn-inspired learning year after year.

Included inside: 28 fall-themed language worksheets and bridging questions.

In fact, if you like this packet, explore our other language worksheets →

spooky verbal memory activities, spooky verbal memory worksheets, halloween worksheets

Verbal Memory - Halloween 

Prepare for a ghoulishly good time this Halloween with our Spooky Verbal Memory Printable Worksheets! These engaging and fun activities are perfect for kids and adults alike, making them ideal for Halloween parties, classroom activities, or family gatherings.

What’s Included:

  • Wicked Word Match: Challenge your memory skills by matching spooky-themed words in this printed version of Displaced Characters.
  • Eerie Memory Haunts: Study these spooky words and where they are on the grid. Next, place the appropriate where you saw the words. Who knew? Words, Where are You could make you feel haunted!
  • Haunted Stories Parts of Speech Memory: Test your verbal recall with these Halloween-themed stories.
  • Plan a Haunted Trip: Study a trip that visits real-life haunted places worldwide! Visit the homelands of all of our customers in this fun Around the World in 80 Trips activity.

👻 Why Choose Our Spooky Verbal Memory Worksheets 👻

  • Professionally designed for Halloween fun.
  • Instantly downloadable, so you can start the Halloween fun right away.
  • Reusable for endless enjoyment year after year.

Included inside: 49 spooky verbal memory worksheets and bridging questions.

If you like this packet, explore our other memory worksheets →

identifying emotions activity, printable emotions worksheets

Emotions Identification

$ 19.99.

Are you looking for worksheets to be used in your identifying emotions activities? Then look no further! We’ve adapted our digital exercises to help you strengthen your client’s ability to identify and express emotions. Key features of this packet are: 

  • Emotion Recognition: Practice recognizing emotions at a glance. We’ve adapted our digital exercise, Ancient Writing , to use modern emotion-based emojis instead. Your client will have to read the emotions and identify which one does not belong.
  • Expressive Vocabulary Building: This packet encourages exploring and incorporating diverse emotional words. Whether you’re seeking to expand your vocabulary or assist others in doing so, these exercises provide an enjoyable pathway. I Remember You is now into I Understand Your Emotions.
  • Working Memory Recall: Can you recall the faces of different emotions at a moment’s notice? In contrast to typical n-back exercises, this packet has a series of emojis instead of colors or letters. This exercise would work great in this packet or on its own as a warm-up.
  • Situational Response Practice: Elevate your client’s interpersonal interactions with informed emotional responses! Your client will have to engage in scenario-based activities that encourage thoughtful consideration of appropriate reactions to different emotional situations. Start to develop the ability to navigate conversations and relationships with empathy and grace.

Dive into the world of emotional vocabulary, recognition, memory reinforcement, and responsive communication with our Emotion Identification Worksheet Packet. Experience the transformational power of emotional intelligence today! Unlock the potential of emotions as you’ve never done before! Teachers, enrich your classroom with this packet and teach your students about emotional intelligence. Parents, start conversations with your kids about emotions. And lastly, therapists empower your clients to think about their emotions and maybe even enhance their understanding of emotions. We recommend this packet for any age who can identify emotions.

Included inside: 36 emotion worksheets and bridging questions.

If you like this packet, explore our other social cognition worksheets →

Get a Free Packet (or 2!)

Answer a few questions about yourself and get at $15 credit for any purchase, what do you offer for speech therapist.

We have packets, mini packets, bridging packets, or bundles that focus on all elements of language. Therefore our PDF downloads cover a wide spectrum of speech therapy exercises, from articulation to fluency enhancement. With this intention, we believe our resources are an invaluable aid on your journey to improving individuals speech and communication skills. 

Who uses these speech therapy worksheets?

These worksheets are used by Speech Therapists around the globe. Speech therapists use our worksheets with individuals who have had a stroke , have aphasia , or just want to improve the word retrieval of their clients.

Now, are you looking for more than just language? If so,  Check out all of our worksheets here! 

Do you have other activities?

Yes, we do! All of our worksheets are based on our digital tool, HappyNeuron Pro . If you enjoy using these worksheets we highly recommend checking out the capabilities of our digital tool. 

Why do you have Cognitive Speech Therapy Activities for Adults?

Cognitive functions play a significant role in effective communication. Without cognitive skills, such as memory, attention, and auditory, language skills would not exist. With this in mind, we want to make sure that our PDFs also include cognitive task that may help all different types of cognition. Therefore, if you enjoy these PDFs,  check out our digital language activities here →

Why Choose Happy Neuron Pro's Speech Therapy Worksheets?

Expertly Designed: Our exercises are created by experts who understand the unique needs of adults.

Convenient PDF Format: Download, print, and practice whenever and wherever you prefer.

Proven Results: Countless individuals have benefited from our resources, experiencing improved word retrieval and speech skills. Read some our testimonials →

Some are Completely Free:  We offer 2 minis free a month, enjoy the benefits of our PDF downloads at no cost to you.

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Our worksheets are inspired by our digital tool. If you are a trained professional, explore how our tool can be integrated into your practice.

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The Learning Corp

New Therapy Activities for Speech Therapy Adult Clients or Loved Ones

Here are our four favorite starting points for finding all types of speech and language therapy activities that are a perfect fit for adults working hard to recover from aphasia, stroke or TBI – with specific examples to get you started.

1. Speech Pathology-Specific Apps for Mobile Devices like iPads and Android Tablets.

Several companies now focus on adult-specific therapy applications. Obviously, I’m a little biased and think one particular app shines as the most versatile. But there are some good apps out there that are adult focused:

  • Constant Therapy   Oh wait… you knew I was going to suggest that one first?  In all seriousness, Constant Therapy is a great option for patients who are looking to “carry over” the work they do in therapy to home practice, whether that’s while they’re still under your care as a clinician, or if they want to do therapy independently (the app will advance tasks to the next level for them automatically) after they’ve been discharged. It’s also a great option for patients who don’t have access to in-person speech therapy, for economic or geographic reasons. The tasks focus on both language and cognition, and we’re always working to expand the versatility and level of challenge of each individual task as well as our set of tasks as a whole. Free for clinicians. 15-day free trial for users. Go download it now from any app store.
  • Tactus  – this Canadian company has many apps available for both language and cognitive areas.  You purchase each app separately, and the company has come out with a number of new apps in the past year. The apps are a little harder to use at home independently, as they don’t tell you when to move up or down in difficulty level within the apps, but they are particularly great for speech therapists looking for in-therapy tools.
  • Virtual Speech Apps  – another company that’s really broadening its adult focus. Similar to Tactus, these apps are harder to use independently at home, but the material is phenomenal, and the amount of control the apps give you as a clinician is great in terms of complexity of tasks presented and exactly what type of stimuli you want your patient to see.

2. Speech Pathology Paper-Based Products

If you’re ready for a little blast from the past, you can go back to  good old paper (and let’s be honest, when you buy most of these, you can buy them as PDFs now, so don’t worry about the paper problem).  Here are a few of my favorites:

  • The WALC series  – these focus on language, cognitive skills, and have a lot of really practical items.  Another nice feature is that you don’t have to buy all of it at once – you can buy one book at a time to focus on exactly what you need.
  • The HELP series  – again, language, cognition, you name it, HELP has it. I also like that there are some portions of HELP that are very specific skill focused, where others require skills to be applied.
  • Just for Adults  – this series also has multiple books which is great. They also have fantastic color picture cards that use nice photography and have some built in questions on the back. I also like to just use the photos as stimuli during therapy.

3. Non-Therapy Apps that Provide Language Skills Practice

Here are a few that happen to require language to use them successfully:

  • Words With Friends  – basically “Scrabble” for your mobile device (so much fun, it can be addictive!). This is great because you can compete with others, but there’s no time pressure, so you can take your time. Thinking of words that contain certain letters is great for word-finding problems (difficulty thinking of the right word is a common issue in TBI and Aphasia).
  • Ruzzle  – I’ve personally spent an embarrassing amount of time playing this app. You look at a set of letters and find as many words as you can. This requires executive function, attention, planning, and definitely language/reading skills.
  • 4 Pics 1 Word  – this is a great one for naming, focusing more on the meaning/semantic side of finding the word you want. Again, fun and addictive.

4. Non-Therapy Items You May Already Have at Home

  • Built in alarms and calendar reminders  – use your phone to set up reminders for meds, appointments, deadlines, you name it – to be honest, I use this all the time for myself, in addition to helping my clients use this as a compensatory strategy.
  • The Internet / Google  –  The Internet has every topic you could ever want, and can be tailored to your own interests and those of your clients or loved ones. Google your client’s or loved one’s interests and hobbies and you’ll find lots of material to read alone or aloud.

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speech therapy working memory activities for adults

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speech therapy working memory activities for adults

Write better cognitive goals with 54 daily activities

Write better cognitive goals by working with your patient to identify the real-life skills and activities they want to improve with speech therapy. Here are 54 ideas for cognitive therapy, which are also listed on the two-page checklist you can give your patients. You and your patient can use the checklist to identify specific problem areas they would like to address in therapy. Thank you to Katie (SLP) for the idea of making a checklist!

Free DIRECT download: 54 daily activities checklist (patient handout). ( Email subscribers get free access to all the resources in the Free Subscription Library .)

  • Clock and calendar .
  • Medications .
  • Bills and checkbook .
  • Telephone .
  • Smart phone .
  • Remembering information .
  • Learning and using new procedures .
  • Wayfinding .
  • Having a conversation .
  • Write better cognitive goals with MedBridge courses .
  • Related Eat, Speak, & Think posts .

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Clock and calendar

Understanding and using a clock and calendar are important skills to maintain independence. Here are six possible goal areas:

  • Telling time.
  • Understanding a calendar.
  • Knowing the day of the week, date, or year.
  • Keeping track of appointments.
  • Planning your time.
  • Completing planned tasks and activities.

Medications

Errors in taking medication, side-effects, and allergic reactions can be very serious and costly . Here are four skill areas that your patient may want to improve:

  • Know the reason for each medication.
  • Remember to take them.
  • Managing the process of refilling the prescriptions.
  • Actually swallowing the pills.

Bills and checkbook

Cognitive or language impairment can limit a person’s ability to manage their own finances. Here are five ideas to target in therapy:

  • Understanding bills and other paperwork.
  • Understanding money.
  • Writing out checks.
  • Paying bills on time.
  • Balancing the checkbook.

Being able to communicate by telephone is an important skill for safety, independence, and daily communication needs. Here are ideas for three skills to address:

  • Making phone calls.
  • Having a conversation.
  • Checking voice mail.

Smart phone

More and more people are getting smart phones, which offers many tools that support communication and independent living. Here are six ideas for therapy:

  • Social media.
  • Using the internet.
  • Calendar/alarms/other app.

Many people have difficulty using a computer after acquiring a cognitive or language impairment. Here are three common tasks people may wish to improve:

Ever walk into someone’s home and find stacks of mail piled up? Dealing with the mail can be overwhelming, especially if someone has been in the hospital or in-patient rehab for a long period of time.

Coming up with a plan for simply working through it takes good executive function skills. In addition, a person may have a cognitive or language impairment that may limit their ability to understand and respond effectively.

Here are two skill areas your patient may wish to address in therapy:

  • Reading and understanding the mail.
  • Responding appropriately.

Life means paperwork and lots of information to keep track of. Your patient may not have a good system for organizing and finding information. You may wish to address the following in therapy:

  • Organizing paperwork.
  • Finding information.

Remembering information

Trouble remembering information is a common complaint. Here are eight specific ideas for therapy that your patient may relate to.

  • Addresses/phone numbers.
  • Where things are located.
  • Details of conversations.
  • New instructions.
  • Information that is read or heard.

Learning and using new procedures

When someone has a cognitive or language impairment, they often have trouble learning and remembering to use new procedures. Here are five skill areas you and your patient may wish to consider:

  • Using a memory support tool.
  • Learning to use a new device.
  • Remembering to use a device.
  • Using a cane or walker safely.
  • Changing how one eats or drinks.

When a person moves to a new location, such as an independent living facility, they may have difficulty learning where things are located. Here are six ideas to consider for therapy:

  • Dining room.
  • Laundry room.
  • Trash/recycling room.
  • Wellness center.
  • Activity room.

Having a conversation

Successfully participating in a conversation requires skills beyond putting ideas into words. Here are four ideas for therapy:

  • Starting a conversation.
  • Staying on topic.
  • Keeping a conversation going.
  • Remembering the details later.

Write better cognitive goals with MedBridge courses

When we focus on practical skills and strategies, we can help our patients improve their lives in a real, meaningful way. Learn how to better cognitive goals by identifying meaningful and relevant therapy targets with these MedBridge courses taught by SLP Sarah Baar:

  • Why and How to Practice Real-Life Activities in Speech Therapy *.
  • Creating Functional Home Programs in Adult Rehab *.
  • Close the Game Closet: Evidence and Tools for a Person-Centered Approach for Treatment of Adult Neurogenic Disorders *.

*This is an affiliate link. At no extra cost to you, you can help keep Eat, Speak, & Think sustainable if you subscribe through this link or use the code EatSpeakThink. Learn more about the discount .

Related Eat, Speak, & Think posts

  • How to improve short term memory .
  • How to plan cognitive therapy with 6 questions .
  • How to use spaced retrieval with errorless learning to improve memory .
  • 4 steps for using a calendar for meaningful language and cognitive-communication therapy .

Featured image by towfiqu barbhuiya on Canva.com .

Photo of Lisa Young

Lisa A Young M.A. CCC-SLP

Lisa earned her M.A. in Speech-Language Pathology from the University of Maryland, College Park and her M.A. in Linguistics from the University of California, San Diego.

She participated in research studies with the National Institute on Deafness and other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) and the University of Maryland in the areas of aphasia, Parkinson’s Disease, epilepsy, and fluency disorders.

Lisa has been working as a medical speech-language pathologist since 2008. She has a strong passion for evidence-based assessment and therapy, having earned five ASHA Awards for Professional Participation in Continuing Education.

She launched EatSpeakThink.com in June 2018 to help other clinicians be more successful working in home health, as well as to provide strategies and resources to people living with problems eating, speaking, or thinking.

  • How to help adults regain the ability to write
  • Better AOS outcomes with a focus on participation
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  • Home health SLP survey results may surprise you

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[…] EatSpeakThink.com’s “Write Better Cognitive Goals With 54 Daily Activities.” SLPs can improve goal-writing by identifying real-life skills and activities to improve upon in cognitive-communication treatment. If clinicians subscribe (for free), a two-page checklist to provide to patients to identify specific problem/goal areas is available. […]

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  1. 10 Working Memory Tasks For Adult Speech Therapy

    For your patients with minimal-moderate working memory deficits, consider the following visual working memory tasks. 6. Take A Mental Picture. Have the patient visualize what they want to remember. For example, where they left their keys. Then have them take a mental snapshot and store it in their brain.

  2. 43 More Functional Memory Tasks for Adults

    Use repeat, repeat, repeat and the following tasks for patients with moderate memory impairments. 1. Remembering people's names. Visit a room with many people or present a page with people's photos. Immediately after learning someone's name, prompt the patient to repeat the name at least twice.

  3. Speech Therapy Memory Activities for Adults: A Practical Guide

    This post is a guide to treating memory deficits in the adult population. The treatments are broken down by severity: mild, moderate, and severe memory deficits. For each of these groups, you'll find step-by-step speech therapy memory activities for adults. Bookmark and open this post while treating. Or feel free to copy and print the activities.

  4. Improve your working memory with 60 quick exercises

    10 practical cognitive therapy activities. return to top. Reference. Cowan N. (2014). Working Memory Underpins Cognitive Development, Learning, and Education. Educational psychology review, 26(2), 197-223. [HHS Public Access] return to top. Free DIRECT download: 60 quick working memory exercises (patient handout).

  5. 195 Memory and Attention Tasks for Speech Therapy Practice

    Begin with the number "1" and name an object for each letter of the alphabet starting with "A" and continue until I say "Stop". For example: 1 Apple, 2 Balls, 3 Cars... Tell me boys names for each letter of the alphabet starting with the letter "A". Tell me girls names for each letter of the alphabet starting with the letter "A".

  6. Speech Therapy Memory Activities for Adults (Best Types & Short-Term)

    Key Takeaways. 1. There are many great speech therapy memory activities for adults, including word association, storytelling, word repetition, and pattern recognition. 2. Different types of activities target different kinds of cognitive issues, including short-term memory loss and aphasia. 3.

  7. Working Memory Strategies For Speech Therapy

    4. Memory!: The simple game of memory works on visualization without even trying. You can even practice saying, out loud, where a picture is located (rehearsal). They key here is to "over practice" memory techniques hoping they will become automatic. So squeeze in lots of practice throughout the day. Working Memory & Language Development

  8. Speech Therapy for Memory Loss: Effective Treatment Strategies

    Speech therapy memory activities: Activities such as word association and memory journals are used to improve cognitive skills and communication for adults experiencing memory challenges. Compensatory Strategies. ... Adjustments to Living and Working Environments: Organizing spaces to ensure that frequently used items are easily accessible ...

  9. 10 practical cognitive therapy activities

    10 practical cognitive therapy activities. I'm sharing 10 practical cognitive therapy activities that I've done with my patients recently, with suggested SMART goals. Details have been changed to protect privacy. Free DIRECT download: 17 SMART cognitive goals (cheat sheet). ( Email subscribers get free access to all the resources in the ...

  10. 5 Constant Therapy exercises to target working memory

    Let's take a look at these 5 memory activities. 1. Match pictures. Targeting visual memory skills, users tap on the cards to match pairs of pictured objects. 2. Match faces. Targeting visual memory skills, users tap on the cards to match pairs of photographs of people. 3. Match sounds.

  11. 23 Functional Memory Tasks for Adults Speech Therapy Free Printable

    4) Use Associations. Remember someone's name by connecting it to someone else with the same or similar name. Memorize the purpose of your prescription medication by creating a simple or funny phrase. For example: "Am LO dipine LOW ers blood pressure". Or, "Simva STAT in helps with FAT 'n cholesterol".

  12. 7 Working Memory Activities for Adults & Kids| Online & PDF

    5.) Visualization: Engage in activities that require mental visualization, such as mental mapping, storytelling, or imagining familiar places. Try our digital exercise, An American in Paris →. 6.) Listening to Music: Listen to classical or instrumental music, which may positively impact working memory and concentration. 7.)

  13. Improve auditory memory with this easy exercise

    Step 1: Get a baseline measure. First, obtain a baseline measure of your patient's ability to remember what they hear. Optionally, you can probe their recall or assess their comprehension with a few quick questions. Select an appropriate text that is interesting to the patient. (See below for what "appropriate" means.)

  14. PDF In-home Cognitive Stimulation Guidebook

    Birmingham, AL 35233-7330. Phone: 205-934-3283. TDD: 205-934-4642. Fax: 205-975-4691. [email protected]. Document Citation. The University of Alabama at Birmingham Traumatic Brain Injury Model System, In-home Cognitive Stimulation Guidebook: Activities to Stimulate Thinking Skills of People with Brain Disorders.

  15. Speech Therapy Worksheets for Adults

    A Trusted Resource for Effective and Fun Adult Speech Therapy Activities. If you're seeking comprehensive speech therapy exercises for adults, you're in the right place. Our PDF downloads cover a wide spectrum of speech exercises, from articulation to fluency. These resources are an great addition on your journey to better speech and ...

  16. 11 Cognitive Speech Therapy Activities for Adults Free PDF

    9. Math in Everyday Life: Shopping Spree! 10. Math in Everyday Life: Restaurant Menus. 11. Math in Everyday Life: Reading a Receipt. More Resources: Cognitive Speech Therapy Activities for Adults. Conclusion. Your time is valuable, so let's cut to the chase: Here are 11 cognitive speech therapy activities for adults that work!

  17. Cognitive Speech Therapy: Improving Communication After TBI

    Here are some examples of cognitive speech therapy activities for adults: 1. Response-Elaboration Training (RET) ... This is a great way to stimulate your brain and working memory. If you have trouble with this, your caregiver could try taking pictures of each step of a task for you to sequence properly instead. 4. Spaced Retrieval

  18. How to improve short term memory

    Many people enjoy memory games or other brain-training games, since they're fun and often addictive. ... and I can attest to that after working with older adults for years. Muscle memory is a powerful force. ... Honeycomb Speech Therapy offers printables and possible goals for 8 TED talks. TED-Ed talks are informative, entertaining, and short.

  19. 21 Practical Cognitive Tasks That Work

    7. Browse The Web. Review how to open web browsers, use search engines like Google, check email, and close tabs. Even these seemingly simple tasks can be life-changing for motivated patients. 8. Update a Calendar. An ongoing practical cognitive task for patients is updating their calendars.

  20. New Therapy Activities for Speech Therapy Adult Clients or Loved Ones

    Here are our four favorite starting points for finding all types of speech and language therapy activities that are a perfect fit for adults working hard to recover from aphasia, stroke or TBI - with specific examples to get you started. 1. Speech Pathology-Specific Apps for Mobile Devices like iPads and Android Tablets.

  21. Therapeutic Tasks & ADLs for Clients with Cognitive Impairments

    Therapeutic Tasks and Activities of Daily Living for Clients with Cognitive Impairments. This Speechinar will include a review of common cognitive impairments seen in various adult populations, examples of activities of daily living that are impacted by cognitive changes and how we can address them in cognitive speech therapy sessions, and ...

  22. Write better cognitive goals with 54 daily activities

    Understanding and using a clock and calendar are important skills to maintain independence. Here are six possible goal areas: Telling time. Understanding a calendar. Knowing the day of the week, date, or year. Keeping track of appointments. Planning your time. Completing planned tasks and activities. return to top.

  23. 22 Executive Functioning Activities for Adults

    Below are 6 executive functioning strategies for adults, plus our free Executive Functioning PDF bundle. In the executive functioning activities below, you'll find recommendations for when to use each strategy. 1. Game Plan Worksheet. Download the free Game Plan Worksheet to teach your patients a step-by-step process for how to solve problems.