How long did it take for your short-term memory to return? Did it fully return?

[Harper1]

Hello folks,

Am just wondering if anyone could tell me approximately how long it took for their short term memory to return—assuming it did.

I’m asking because we’re having a tough time helping our son re-learn words and talking again, and we suspect memory issues are at least partly to blame. His comprehension is also shot. For example, I will tell him to put his dish in the sink and he will look confused, then dump it into the garbage—this after weeks of saying the word “sink,” and showing him its location. Encephalitis took away 99% of his ability to talk, so he can’t explain what he does and does not understand, or what he’s going through.

He’s also started ripping up books again, like he did for a rough period when he was maybe 1.5 years old. Every day I will explain to him, “We don’t rip books!” and every day he will do it again, in a daze, and when I chastise him, he’ll look like he has never before heard this crazy “no ripping up books” rule.

I’m starting to feel nagging, despairing thoughts: will he be able to learn anything again? It’s Groundhog’s day every day now.

[Paula-38]

Hi Harper1,

I am so sorry to hear that your poor son has to re-learn thing and that 99 percent of his ability to talk has been affected by Encephalitis.

I personally have had any trouble with short term memory or re-learning because I was a little bit younger than your son when I had Encephalitis just after my first birthday so in one way I was lucky that I didn't encounter those problems.

However my talking was affected a little bit I couldn't make a full sentence without stopping and starting, and delays in-between but I could still express myself even if it took me a bit longer and my parents being patient with me.

Try asking your son to write down what he does and doesn't understand that could be a good help to both yourself and him. I hope this works. I kept trying new things till I found something that worked for me.

I wasn't dumb but apparently I could have been . My heart goes out to your poor son. I think that maybe a Speech and Language Therapist might be able to help, and a child Neuropsychologist these are services that I never had but apparently they can help a lot after someone has/had Encephalitis.

Please keep me posted how you get on . Best of luck

Paula_38

[Harper1 in reply to Paula-38]

Thanks for the reply, Paula. Unfortunately, my son cannot write. He was about 4, we think, when he started to show symptoms of encephalitis, and any attempts at teaching him his ABCs over the past year have been a disaster. (At least now we know why.) Now that he’s in recovery, we’re slowly trying again. We have indeed started sessions at a speech language pathologist though.

Will do about posting progress. I have enjoyed learning from your posts on your story as well.

[Paula-38 in reply to Harper1]

I am EVER SO sorry to hear that your poor son can't write aww.

I can imagine the frustration you and your son must be experiencing being unable to communicate doesn't help but it CAN get better! Never Give Up! However maybe your son could also see a physiotherapist or Occupational Therapist I'm not too sure which one it is but if he has problems with his motor skills I do know one of the professionals I have mentioned will hopefully be able to help.Best of luck with the Speech and Language Therapist/pathologist!!

[alpappy]

I am now four years out I go through periods when my memory is ok but then out of the blue esp after covid jab or a cold I loose short term memory for upto a week I think it will get better but only upto a point which takes a few years to reach All the best Dr Alan Papert NZ

[Gandalf2]

Hi Harper, sorry to hear of your situation. Sounds like you need expert help, I'm in the UK so things like rehab do arrive but after a long wait (18 months) and a fair bit of pestering. We are pretty much all amateurs on here but with experience of various kinds.

My memory loss is quite erratic, I can remember all sorts of things from 60 years ago but other more recent things only gradually return. When I emerged from hospital I didn't know if my parents (deceased) were alive or dead, my wedding day or many other things. Gradually some parts of the brain seep back into action it seems. Short-term still a problem, forgetting the topic of a sentence before I get to the end is the most inconvenient issue.

Teaching the alphabet in a conventional sense may be too much. Finding the way through what he likes may be the best way - 'Learning through play'. Playing games like patience/solitaire teach colour, shape, numbers, ranking. Checkers may work and tiddlywinks, what is fun for you may be fun for him too.

One can try listening to music, making music (e.g. xylophone), moulding things from clay or Plasticine, making things from Lego type blocks or sticks and string there are different approaches. Find out what delights him. Making simple buns, clapping games?

Walking amongst flowers, meeting nice animals, donkeys are very friendly and some dogs and cats - all worth a try. Experiment.

If you do find a route/s it will feel great!

I do hope you get some assistance and start to get somewhere.

Best Wishes, G2

[Ocean96]

Hi there!

Thanks for sharing your story and I am so sorry to hear your son has been ill and affected by encephalitis. I know first hand, it not only affects the person but also the family and loved ones around them. I hope you're okay and doing well and I think its amazing you have reached out to this community as we all understand and have immense compassion for what you and your family are going through.

Have you been in touch with the encephalitis society? They have been an amazing support to my family and I since my diagnosis. I'd definitely recommend them if you haven't already been in touch.

My short term memory improved over time but I also, adapted and learned ways to help remember things such as the following:

- Sticky notes as reminders

- Reminders and alarms on my phone

- Keep a diary

- Sticking to a routine

- Scheduling fewer activities so I have less to remember

I hope that helps!

[Ocean96 in reply to Ocean96]

Just after reading that your son is 4! I have worked as a pre-school tutor and I have some suggestions below for teaching him his ABC's/writing:

- Pictures of words (flash cards such as animals, objects, etc) repeat the word to him and ask him to copy you. Carry this out 10 times in a row. Reward with a treat (toy, sweet)

- Tray of sand - You show him how to trace a letter such as B in the sand. (He will hopefully like the sensory aspect of the sand)

- Reading a book at night time

- Puzzles and games help kids engage in talking and learning new words

- If you google speech therapy activities there's lots online!

[Harper1 in reply to Ocean96]

Thanks for the reply and ideas. A few I’m already doing, but the writing in sand one never occurred to me, and would be right up my son’s alley. 👍

[Trashgod]

Hi, Ive had Autoimmune Caspr 2 encephalitis for at least 6 years and I find after I lose my memory it can take me around 2-4 months to get it back, wish you all the best.