CALT Language Development: Typical and Atypical Acquisition

Question 1

At what age do most children typically produce their first recognizable words with consistent meaning?

Accepted Answer

12–18 months

Answer

6–8 months

Answer

9–11 months

Answer

24–30 months

Question 2

Which of the following best describes the 'vocabulary spurt' in typical language development?

Accepted Answer

A rapid acceleration in new word learning typically occurring around 18–24 months

Answer

A gradual, steady linear increase in vocabulary from birth through adolescence

Answer

A sudden vocabulary increase that occurs only when children begin formal reading instruction

Answer

An expansion of vocabulary that occurs primarily in bilingual children during code-switching

Question 3

A child who is 7 years old consistently substitutes /w/ for /r/ in all word positions. How should this be interpreted?

Accepted Answer

This substitution pattern warrants concern, as /r/ is typically mastered by age 6–7

Answer

This is a completely typical phonological pattern for a 7-year-old and requires no follow-up

Answer

This pattern indicates the child has a hearing impairment requiring audiological evaluation

Answer

This pattern is a definitive sign of dyslexia and warrants a reading evaluation

Question 4

Morphological awareness — the understanding of how prefixes, suffixes, and base words combine to form meaning — typically develops in what sequence relative to phonological awareness?

Accepted Answer

Morphological awareness develops after phonological awareness, emerging more fully around ages 5–7 and expanding through adolescence

Answer

Morphological awareness develops before phonological awareness, around ages 2–3

Answer

Both develop simultaneously during the preschool years

Answer

Morphological awareness only develops after a child achieves full reading fluency

Question 5

Rapid Automatized Naming (RAN) deficits in children are most strongly associated with which outcome?

Accepted Answer

Difficulties with reading fluency and decoding, frequently co-occurring with dyslexia

Answer

Social communication difficulties characteristic of autism spectrum disorder

Answer

Expressive language delays affecting grammar and sentence formulation only

Answer

Deficits in mathematical reasoning and working memory

Question 6

Which of the following is an early language RED FLAG that should prompt referral for a language evaluation in a toddler?

Accepted Answer

No babbling by 12 months and no single words by 16 months

Answer

Using approximately 50 words at 24 months

Answer

Producing two-word combinations such as 'more milk' at 24 months

Answer

Using mostly nouns with few verbs at 18 months