Comparison of the effectiveness of Fernald method and neuropsychological method on improving reading performance of dyslexic children

The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of Fernald's method and neuropsychology on improving the reading performance of dyslexic children. The research method was quasi-experimental. The statistical population was all third grade dyslexic students referred to learning disability centers in Zahedan in 2020-2021. 42 people (29 boys, 13 girls) were selected by convenience sampling method and randomly divided into two experimental groups Fernald method (10 boys, 4 girls), neuropsychological method (10 boys, 4 girls) and a control group (9 boys, 5 girls) were replaced. First, pre-test was taken from all three groups and The experimental groups underwent the intervention of Fernald's teaching method (Fernald & Keller, 1921) and the neuropsychological method (Kolkman, Hoijtink, Kroesbergen, & Leseman, 2013; Gray & et al, 2012) in 15 sessions of 60 minutes, and post-test was taken again from all three groups, and after two months of post-test, follow-up was taken. Reading and dyslexia tests were used to collect data. The results of multivariate analysis of covariance showed that both Fernald and neuropsychological methods had a significant effect on reading performance (P <0.01). The results of independent t-test to compare Fernald's experimental method and neuropsychological method also showed that Fernand's method is more effective in improving reading performance and components (reading words, word comprehension, elimination of sounds) than neuropsychological method and neuropsychological method more than Fernald's method affects components (word chains, rhymes, word chains, letter signs, category signs) (P <0.01). Based on the findings, it can be said that the centers for the treatment of learning disorders and the Exceptional Education Organization can use both methods for the education and treatment of learning disorders, especially dyslexia, and to develop and implement hybrid intervention programs based on both methods to double its effectiveness.