The effects of two systematic methods of phonics instruction for children with significant cognitive disability were compared. Fifty-two participants, aged 5-12 years were randomly assigned to one of three treatment groups: (i) a synthetic phonics instruction, (ii) an analogy phonics instruction group, and (iii) a control group. Participants in the synthetic and analogy phonics groups received twelve sessions of individual instruction. Findings suggest that for many students with significant cognitive disability systematic phonics instruction is beneficial. Further research should focus on the maintenance and generalization of phonics skills acquired by children with significant cognitive disability. (Contains 7 tables.)