Speech and Language Disorders in Arabic Speakers: Establishing a Screening and Diagnostic Protocol

Abstract

Our practice with children is about speech and language disorders has allowed us to observe that speech and language therapists are still trapped in imported theories and ideas that are in no way appropriate to their language or society. Therefore, we decided to attempt to develop a language protocol that allows for the actual measurement of the manifestations of language disorders in Arabic-speaking children as they exist in their social environment.

This is due to the scarcity of these very necessary means, whether for examining, diagnosing, or assessing language and speech disorders. Even if these methods exist, they are ineffective and unsuitable for the specificities of their language.

This attempt aims to address the lack of field studies and research that address this type of language disorder in Arabic-speaking children as it exists within its psychological, social, and cultural context. Furthermore, some of the unique characteristics of Arab society, both of the linguistic level (the specificity of the Arabic language) and at the sociocultural level, are a motivation for our interest in this type of research. Therefore, studying the linguistic biographies of Arabic speakers in their aspects related to linguistic understanding and production can allow us to be effective in their social and linguistic dimensions.