Memory in Speech Therapy: Approaches That Make a Difference

Written By Kei Worry

Memory plays a critical role in everyday communication, learning, and independence — and for many children and adults receiving speech-language therapy, memory difficulties can be a significant barrier. Whether the challenges stem from ADHD, brain injury, learning disabilities, or developmental delays, targeted memory interventions can make a real difference.

Today we'll explore several types of memory-focused interventions used in speech-language therapy, along with examples of how they’re applied across different populations.

What Kind of Memory Are We Talking About?

Before we dive in, it's important to recognize that "memory" isn’t just one thing. In speech therapy, we often work with:

  • Working memory – Holding and manipulating information in the mind (e.g., remembering multi-step directions).

  • Short-term memory – Retaining information briefly (e.g., recalling a list of words).
    Long-term memory – Storing information for extended periods (e.g., personal experiences or vocabulary).

  • Prospective memory – Remembering to do something in the future (e.g., turning in homework).

  • Episodic memory – Recalling events or experiences (e.g., telling a story from your weekend).

  • Semantic memory – Knowledge of facts and concepts (e.g., naming animals or categories).

Speech therapy can support all of these domains, using various intervention strategies tailored to each client’s needs.

Types of Memory Interventions in Speech Therapy

1. External Memory Strategies (Compensatory)

These are tools or supports that help "offload" memory demands by relying on the environment.

Examples:

  • Visual schedules or picture supports

  • Written checklists or planners

  • Alarms, timers, and sticky notes

  • Color-coded folders or notebooks

  • Communication notebooks or cue cards

Great for: Clients with attention difficulties (like ADHD), traumatic brain injury (TBI), or executive function challenges.

2. Internal Memory Strategies (Restorative)

These help the client improve how they encode, store, and retrieve information — training the brain to become more efficient.

Common techniques:

  • Chunking – Grouping information into meaningful units (e.g., phone numbers).

  • Repetition and rehearsal – Saying things aloud or silently to reinforce memory.
    Visualization – Creating mental images to “see” information.

  • Elaboration – Linking new info to something already known.
    Mnemonics – Using acronyms or rhymes (e.g., HOMES for the Great Lakes).

Great for: Older children, teens, and adults who can actively participate in strategy use.

3. Metacognitive Strategy Training

This approach helps clients become more aware of their memory strengths and weaknesses, and to use strategies intentionally.

Therapy goals may include:

  • Planning ahead (e.g., how will I remember to bring my book?)

  • Monitoring task performance (e.g., “Did I write that down?”)

  • Self-evaluating (e.g., “What helped me remember that word?”)

Great for: Teens and adults, especially those with ADHD, executive dysfunction, or after brain injury.

4. Prospective Memory Interventions

Focuses on helping clients remember to carry out tasks in the future, such as appointments, taking medication, or following daily routines.

Types:

  • Event-based: Remembering when a certain event happens (e.g., “When I see the bell, I pack up”).

  • Time-based: Remembering at a specific time (e.g., “At 3:00, I take my medicine”).

Great for: Clients who struggle with follow-through — common in ADHD, TBI, or autism.

5. Narrative-Based Memory Intervention

Narratives are powerful tools for improving episodic and semantic memory, language organization, and recall.

Strategies include:

  • Retelling personal stories in sequence

  • Using visual story maps

  • Practicing past-tense language

  • Answering WH questions about shared experiences

Great for: Children with language delays, autism, and social communication challenges.

6. Functional Task Training

Memory is embedded into real-life communication tasks — a particularly effective approach for adults and teens.

Examples:

  • Remembering a grocery list during a role-play shopping trip

  • Using a phone calendar to schedule appointments

  • Recalling the steps in a job routine

Great for: Older students and adults in life-skills or vocational programs.

Final Thoughts

Memory interventions in speech therapy are not one-size-fits-all. The best results often come from a custom blend of compensatory tools, internal strategies, and functional practice — all tailored to the individual’s age, diagnosis, and daily needs.

As SLPs, we’re in a unique position to support not only language and communication, but also the cognitive foundations that help our clients remember, organize, and succeed in everyday life.

Kei Worry
Next

Happy Labor Day!