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Language development items require you to recognize typical milestones, calculate MLU, match Brown's morpheme stages to ages, and distinguish DLD from language differences. Expect 8-12 items, often paired with pediatric assessment scenarios.
Try answering before revealing the rationale — mark misses to retry later.
Q1.A child produces the following 5-utterance sample: 'baby cry' (2), 'want cookie' (2), 'daddy going' (3), 'mommy shoes' (3), 'me play' (2). What is the MLU?
Correct: B. Total morphemes = 2+2+3+3+2 = 12. Total utterances = 5. MLU = 12/5 = 2.4.
Q2.A monolingual English-speaking 3-year-old uses no plurals, no past tense, and MLU of 1.8. Which is the MOST appropriate conclusion?
Correct: B. A 3-year-old typically has MLU 3.0+ and productive plurals and past tense. This profile warrants full evaluation for possible DLD.
Q3.A 5-year-old English learner (Spanish L1) omits copulas ('he happy'). Which is MOST accurate?
Correct: B. Copula omission is common in Spanish-influenced English and can reflect a language difference, not a disorder. Assessment must distinguish difference from disorder using dynamic and unbiased tools.
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How is MLU calculated?
Divide the total number of morphemes by the total number of utterances (typically a 50-100 utterance sample).
How do I know if a bilingual child has DLD?
Assess in BOTH languages using dynamic assessment, parent report, and cultural-linguistic norms — never based on English alone.
Is 'late talker' the same as DLD?
No — late talkers are 18-30 months with delayed onset. DLD is diagnosed after age 4 when language impairment persists without a biomedical cause.