The effect of executive functions training on neuropsychological skills and attention control of the students with learning disabilities

Numerous studies have been conducted on executive functions, psychological neurological abilities, and attention deficit disorder in children with learning disabilities. However, research that has examined the effectiveness of teaching executive functions on neuropsychological abilities and attention deficit disorder in children with learning disabilities has been neglected.

The objective of the present study was to investigate the effect of teaching Executive functions training on neuropsychological skills and attention control of the students with learning disability.

A sample of 30 people of the study population (the students with learning disability in the primary schools of the city of Tehran in academic year 2018-19) were selected through multi-stage clustered sampling method and were randomly replaced into experimental and control groups in order to do the study. The research design was experimental from pretest, posttest and control group type. The applied instruments in this study included forth version of intelligence test (Wexler, 2011) and neuropsychological test (Conners, 2004), learning problems questionnaire (Wilcot, et.al, 2011) and attention control questionnaire (Derry berry & Reed, 2002). Before administering independent variable, pretest was taken from both groups. Then the experimental group received teaching interventions during 8 sessions in Two months. The data from the study were analyzed via Variances with repeated measurements.

The results showed that Executive functions training has significantly influenced neuropsychological skills and attention control of the students with learning disability (f= 123/82, f= 53/55, p<0/001). The degree of the effect of Executive functions training on neuropsychological skills and attention control of the students with learning disability was 81 and 66% respectively.

According to the findings of this study Executive functions training can be applied as an efficient method to improve neuropsychological skills and Derry berry & Reed of the students with learning disability