Assessment for Working Memory & Considerations

Accurate assessment is essential for understanding how a student's working memory challenges interact with their language abilities and academic performance. SLP's must integrate information from multiple means of assessment to differentiate between language-based errors and true working memory limitations. Individuals with DLD may have both of these difficulties which will affect planning meaningful interventions.

Working Memory Assessment Categories

Visuospatial

Phonological

Embedded in Language Assessment

Location span
Visual span

Forward digit span
Backward digit span
Counting span
Running span
Nonword repetition

Competing Language Processing Task
Sentence Repetition
Following Directions
Story Retell
Formulated Sentences
Narrative Comprehension

Tsutsui, K., Oyama, K., Nakamura, S., & Iijima, T. (2016). Comparative overview of visuospatial working memory in monkeys and rats. Frontiers in Systems Neuroscience, 10, 99. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnsys.2016.00099

Kester, E., & Kester, E. (2025, August 22). Use Non-Word repetition to find language issues. Bilinguistics. https://bilinguistics.com/non-word-repetition-tasks-help-differentiate-language-difference-from-language-disorders/

Secord, W., Semel, E., & Wiig, E. (2013). The Clinical Evaluation of Language Fundamentals, Fifth Edition (CELF-5). Canadian Journal of School Psychology.

Interpretation of Working Memory Assessments

Leder, V. (2019, February 27). How To Improve Child’s Working Memory? STEM Little Explorers . https://www.stemlittleexplorers.com/en/improve-childs-working-memory/#google_vignette Choose the most appropriate tests for the individual client. When choosing tests, consider ecological validity. Standardized tests may not be related to activities and behavioural in the class environment (Ward & Jacobsen, 2014). Furthermore, norms may not include all clinical populations including

eemmily7

Dec 3, 20252 min read

Assessing Working Memory

The Comprehensive Assessment Battery for Children- Working Memory Working memory (WM) is frequently assessed by both speech-language pathologists (SLPs) and psychologists with a variety of testing protocols including standardized assessments, rating scales, observation techniques, and dynamic assessments. Due to the interdependence of WM and other executive functions, assessments will be imperfect indicators of solely WM (Diamond, 2020). Therefore, SLPs need to consider the s

eemmily7

Dec 3, 20258 min read

Working Memory Considerations Within Language Assessments

https://charlottespeechhearing.com/expect-during-evaluation/ Almost no task requires only one executive function, including tasks that are included in language assessments (Diamond, 2020). Executive functions include cold cognition, involving memory, cognitive flexibility, inhibition; and hot cognition involving emotional regulation and theory of mind. Standardized tests are observed to only reflect specific skills or behaviours, rather than a holistic approach (Ward & Jacobs

eemmily7

Dec 2, 20252 min read

Valuable Assessment Resources

For more information about evidence-based assessments, explore the links below.

Working Memory Rating Scale

Contact