Abstract

Depending on the needs of each person, from children to the elderly, the usage of high-tech augmentative and alternative communication devices is constantly increasing. Arabic has been classified into three main versions: Quranic or classical Arabic, Modern Standard Arabic, and Colloquial or Daily Arabic. Arabic is the primary language spoken in the Middle East. Based on their pronunciation, grammar, and vocabulary, these Arabic dialects are used differently in different parts of the Arabian Gulf, including Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, and the United Arab Emirates. Bahrain uses standard Arabic as its primary dialect. Utilizing assistive technology can lessen the need for long-term care, support services, and caregiver labor. Using a Bahraini based high–tech device will be beneficial to those families or caregivers to understand the communication of the children more efficiently. This article focuses on the importance of using a Bahraini-based AAC devices, which is considered a best practice for intervention by including all the needs of a child such as motor, sensory, learning, and communication, as well as their environment, personal preferences, and support structures. A further research is indeed needed for the development of the app, its funding, and the approval to create the AAC device in Bahrain. A total of 76 participants from professional backgrounds answered a questionnaire on their knowledge of AAC and any Bahraini-based AAC apps along with its importance in classrooms or during sessions. These were conducted on weekends for a certain duration of time with both Bahrainis and Non – Bahrainis of various nationalities, ages, and genders. Individuals from different settings such as schools, hospitals, clinics, and centers were interviewed. The majority of the participants used low-tech AAC such as Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) or high-tech AAC apps that were much more familiar.

Key words: Augmentative and Alternative Communication, AAC, Quranic Arabic, Arabian Gulf, assistive technology