Assessing Memory in the School-Ages Child: The Wide Range Assessment of Memory and Learning (WRAML2)

Friday, October 1, 2004
With Wayne Adams, Ph.D.
Co-Author of the WRAML2

Location:

The Harraseeket Inn 160 Main St. Freeport, Maine

Time:

Registration & Coffee 8:00 a.m.-8:30 a.m. Program: 8:30 a.m.- 3:30 p.m.

Program Description: The WRAML2 is a carefully standardized psychometric instrument which allows the user to evaluate an individual's memory function. The WRAML2 affords evaluation of both immediate and delayed memory ability, as well as the acquisition of new learning. The new WRAML2 is normed for children and adults, ages 5-90 years. A new Working Memory Index has been added, which is comprised of the Symbolic Working Memory and Verbal Working Memory subtests. Four new recognition subtests have been added: Design, Picture, Verbal and Story Memory Recognition.

The program will consist of the test's co-author providing an overview of the new revision of the Wide Range Assessment of Memory and Learning - 2 (WRAML2). Each part of the new measure will be illustrated along with its clinical utility. Verbal and visual memory skills will receive primary focus, along with new aspects of the WRAML2, including Working Memory, Delay Memory and numerous qualitative aspects designed to help clinicians determine possible causes for poor performance.

Cases will be used to illustrate how information from the WRAML2 can enrich evaluations of students with learning disabilities, head injury or behavioral disorders.

Participants will receive a copy of the WRAML-2 Examiner form. Several test kits will be available at a 25% discount.

This intensive training is appropriate for psychologists, educational testers, counselors and all professionals interested in increasing their understanding of working memory. Further information regarding this instrument is available through Psychological Assessment Resources, Inc. at www.parinc.com

About the Speaker: Wayne Adams is a graduate of Houghton College. He received an M.A. and Ph.D. n developmental/child clinical psychology from Syracuse University. After teaching at Colgate University for several years, he received postdoctoral training in pediatric psychology at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. Thereafter, he worked at DuPont Hospital for Children (Wilmington, DE), a full-service children's hospital with academic ties with the pediatric residency program of Jefferson Medical College, in nearby Philadelphia. He served as the hospital's director of the Division of Psychology and chief psychologist of the Division of Behavioral Medicine; at the same time he was associate professor at Jefferson Medical College. During his 23 years at DuPont Hospital, he participated with several medical services, including an inpatient rehabilitation program, an outpatient Learning Disorders Clinic and a multi-disciplinary Developmental Disabilities clinic. He has had a private practice, as well.

Primary research interests include child memory and its assessment, areas on which he has co-authored several book chapters; he has been invited by John Wiley & Sons to co-author a book in the same area. He recently has completed the revision of a nationally known children's memory scale (the WRAML) of which he is a co-author. Other research interests exist in the areas of child-adolescent assessment, pediatric- (hospital based) psychology, learning disorders (including ADHD), school consultation, and a variety of childhood/adolescent behavior disorders. Clinical interests include learning and related behavior disorders, pediatric neuropsychological assessment and various neurodevelopmental disorders. He has published more than 30 articles in various professional outlets, co-authored 5 nationally used test instruments, and has made more than 60 presentations at conventions of professional organizations.

Dr. Adams lives outside of Portland, Oregon, where he serves as professor and chairperson of the APA accredited Graduate School of Clinical Psychology, at George Fox University.

Educational Objectives: Workshop participants will gain an understanding of:

• the relevance and importance of memory assessment generally
• the subtest components of the WRAML2 along with a rationale for interpreting each subtest, as well as summary index scores
• clinical applications of the WRAML2 in school-aged children

Testimonial: "I attended a pre-conference training with Dr. Adams at the Association of Educational Therapists annual conference in San Francisco. Dr. Adams is an excellent speaker and highly accomplished professional. He provided a wealth of information which increased one's understanding of the complexities of memory as well as the benefits of using WRAML2 for in-depth testing." -Barbara B. Freethy, M.Ed.