I'm Busy Being Awesome Episode 325: ADHD Object Permanence & 3 Tips to Support Your Brain
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Oct 20, 2025 Explore how working memory affects daily life for those with ADHD. Discover the concept of object permanence and its impact on daily tasks like managing bills and medications. Learn three effective strategies to boost working memory, including visual cues and habit pairing. Gain insights into using reminders effectively and the benefits of keeping items visible. Paula also shares personal anecdotes and encourages choosing one small support to implement this week for a lighter cognitive load.
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Working Memory Drives ADHD 'Object Permanence'
- ADHD working memory drops information that isn't immediately in front of us, creating functional "object permanence" challenges.
- This explains why caring people still forget out-of-sight items until an external cue appears.
Books Left Out To Avoid Forgetting
- Paula kept five plus books on side tables because she feared putting them away would make her forget them.
- Leaving them out created clutter and a constant mental list of unfinished tasks that increased her stress.
ADHD vs Developmental Object Permanence
- Developmental object permanence differs from ADHD experience: adults know items exist but working memory fails to keep them active.
- ADHD 'out of sight, out of mind' is a functional, not literal, loss of awareness.