Memory - Remembering and recalling

Memory is our ability to store, retain, and recall information and experiences. Memory is an essential element in learning – without it we would have to re-learn the same things all the time. Memory is much more than just remembering things or events. It provides us with a sense of self and it make us feel comfortable with people and environments we know. It is also an essential element of our concepts of time, planning and consequences. Most of the time it directs our behaviour and it makes us who we are.

Memory is not located in one particular part of the brain but is a brain-wide process, involving both brain-halves and complex processing. What we perceive to be a single memory is actually constructed out of a diverse set of different memories of previous experiences.

Memory begins with taking in information through our senses, filtering and combining the impressions from all senses and linking it to existing memories. It is easier to remember something that is familiar but slightly different than to remember something that is totally new, like an unfamiliar language. Linking new information to existing knowledge is essential to ensure the brain stores and retains the information.

There are three stages that information has to go through for long term storage and retention:

• sensory stage - recognition of the received information;
• short-term memory - combining recognised elements in the information flow;
• long-term memory - storage of some of the received information for later recall.

Recall of a memory is the retrieval of information from various parts of the brain, combining it into a coherent single memory and bringing it into our conscious awareness. Recall requires a number of clues on the subject, environment or circumstances in order for the brain to be able to find the required information. The original storage of the information started with sensory information and the final recall of a memory will again be represented as a sensory experience. Sensory clues, such as a colour or shape (visual), or how it sounds (auditory), or the smell of flowers in the environment, will all help to both store and recall a memory better.

The five senses – hearing, vision, touch, smell and taste – plus our sense of balance and where our body is in the space around us (proprioception) all contribute to how we learn and develop. How the brain receives, filters, processes and interprets the signals from these senses determines how we perceive reality and how we react, behave and express ourselves. The SAS methods are specifically designed to strengthen sensory processing and improve inter-hemispheric synchronisation and communication. The structured training and coaching programmes improve speech & pronunciation, reading & writing, attention & understanding and lead to better behavioural, social and emotional expression.

If you are interested in overcoming limitations, boosting achievement and creating a happier life, then find out how SAS is helping children and adults of all abilities become more successful:

► The SAS Methodology – what it does and how it works;
► SAS Research – client profile and feedback;
► The SAS Programmes – the services we offer;
► The SAS Centres – where you can find us;
► The People behind SAS – get to know us better.