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Suggest Treatment For Short Term Memory Loss In A 5 Year Old

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Posted on Wed, 7 Dec 2016
Question: Short term memory loss in a 5 year old.
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Answered by Dr. Diptanshu Das (25 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Explanation provided.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for asking on HealthcareMagic.

I have gone through your query but would need more information about why you think so. For a child who is otherwise functioning normally, command delivery plays a very important role. Commands need to be discrete. Rather than 'be good', a rather parametric and effective command would be to say 'put the toy in the box' or if you say 'put on your shoe', you need to give the child at least 10 seconds before you say 'I am still waiting'. Children might need some time to comprehend, process, override their own inhibitions before they can finally comply. Unless all these have already been maintained you should not assume that the child has a short term memory loss.

If the child did not get a good answer and asked more questions, it means that the child is still being analytical and trying to put the pieces together by asking more questions. You need to comply and the mentioned behavior does not count as short term memory loss.

Let me know if I could help further.

Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Follow up: Dr. Diptanshu Das (26 hours later)
He has forgotten that he's had his lunch, then gets very upset because Mum hasn't fed him. He gets so upset that he gets to the point of sobbing, and he has been fed.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Diptanshu Das (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Correlation of the associated facts in important.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for clarifying. That is indeed odd. The child needs a developmental evaluation. I also need to ask you whether this is a sporadic incident or whether there have been other such episodes. As of now do not rebuke him. Reassurance is the mainstay of treatment. Mental stresses (even in a 5 year old) should also be accounted for. A visit to a child psychologist should be helpful.

The following link should be helpful for you:
http://positiveparenting.com/parenting-forgetful-behavior/

Let me know if I could help further.

Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Diptanshu Das

Pediatrician

Practicing since :2005

Answered : 3876 Questions

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Suggest Treatment For Short Term Memory Loss In A 5 Year Old

Brief Answer: Explanation provided. Detailed Answer: Thanks for asking on HealthcareMagic. I have gone through your query but would need more information about why you think so. For a child who is otherwise functioning normally, command delivery plays a very important role. Commands need to be discrete. Rather than 'be good', a rather parametric and effective command would be to say 'put the toy in the box' or if you say 'put on your shoe', you need to give the child at least 10 seconds before you say 'I am still waiting'. Children might need some time to comprehend, process, override their own inhibitions before they can finally comply. Unless all these have already been maintained you should not assume that the child has a short term memory loss. If the child did not get a good answer and asked more questions, it means that the child is still being analytical and trying to put the pieces together by asking more questions. You need to comply and the mentioned behavior does not count as short term memory loss. Let me know if I could help further. Regards