Informal Early Language Assessment Tool — The Speech Source

Know exactly where a child is in their language journey and explain it clearly to families

Calculate MLU, match Brown's Stages, identify communication stage through the Let's Talk framework, and hand parents a clear summary before they leave the room.

Get instant access $39

Single-user license. Opens in any browser. No install needed.

MLU calculator

Brown's Stage matching

Let's Talk communication stages

Stage-specific goal suggestions

Parent handout downloads

Two tools in one

A complete picture of early language — from sample to parent conversation

This tool combines two complementary frameworks for early language assessment: the quantitative MLU measure with Brown's Stage matching, and the observational Let's Talk communication stage framework. Together they give you both the data and the language to have a meaningful conversation with families.

📊

Section 1 — MLU & Brown's Stages

Enter utterances from a language sample. MLU calculates automatically and matches to Brown's Stage I–V. Check off Brown's 14 grammatical morphemes as you observe them.

💬

Section 2 — Let's Talk Stages

Check observed communication skills across the Observer, Engager, Talker, Combiner, and Converser stages. The working stage auto-identifies at 90% completion.

⌨️

Utterance-by-utterance entry

Type each utterance and enter its morpheme count. MLU updates in real time with running totals for utterances and morphemes.

🎯

Automatic Brown's Stage match

Once you have 10+ utterances the tool matches to Brown's Stage I–V and highlights the current stage in the reference table.

✅

Auto-identifies working stage

As you check Let's Talk skills, stages marked complete (90%+) turn green. The first incomplete stage highlights as the working stage automatically.

🎯

Stage-specific goal suggestions

Once a working stage is identified, 5 suggested clinical goals appear — written in IEP-ready language. Check any to add them to your goals field.

📄

Parent handout downloads

For the working stage, download the Goal Ideas handout and the Home Tips handout directly from the tool to share with families.

📋

Instant parent summary PDF

Download a branded parent report showing MLU, Brown's Stage, Let's Talk stage, strengths, growth areas, and goals — one click.

About MLU

What is Mean Length of Utterance?

MLU measures how complex a child's language is by counting the average number of morphemes — the smallest units of meaning — per utterance. It gives clinicians and families a consistent, objective measure that tracks language growth over time.

Total morphemes ÷ Total utterances = MLU Based on Brown (1973) — a foundational framework in pediatric language development research

The tool includes a built-in morpheme counting guide so you can enter each utterance confidently. Just type the utterance, count the morphemes using the reference, enter the number, and move on.

MLU	Age range	Brown's Stage	What's emerging
1.0–2.0	12–26 months	Stage I	Single words progressing to two-word phrases
2.0–2.5	27–30 months	Stage II	-ing verbs, "in," "on," plural -s
2.5–3.0	31–34 months	Stage III	Possessive -'s, irregular past tense, copula
3.0–3.75	35–40 months	Stage IV	Regular past -ed, articles a/the, embedded clauses
3.75+	41+ months	Stage V	Contracted auxiliaries, complex grammar

The Speech Source framework

The Let's Talk Communication Stages

Developed through the Speech Source Let's Talk Coaching Program, these five stages describe how children progress from early observation through confident conversation. The assessment tool maps each stage to specific observable skills you can check off during session.

The Observer

3+ months

Children watch, listen, and track the world around them. They respond to familiar faces, sounds, and routines. Assessment covers: enjoys, watches, tracks, listens, anticipates, notices, explores, operates, interacts.

The Engager

6+ months

Children begin interacting intentionally through reaching, giving, pointing, and imitating. Turn-taking and gesture use emerge as foundations for verbal communication.

The Talker

12+ months

Children begin using single spoken words to communicate. The checklist covers toys, people, foods, actions, location words, power words, self-reference, descriptors, and sound effects.

The Combiner

24+ months

Children combine 2+ words and ideas with growing vocabulary. Assessment covers nine combination types: action+object, person+action, adjective+object, WH-words, pronouns, negation, prepositions, and more.

The Converser

36+ months

Children connect 3-5 words, use a 200+ word vocabulary, create novel sentences, and use emerging grammar including plurals, past tense, pronouns, and articles.

In session

From language sample to parent summary in one session

Set up once 2 minutes

Enter your practice name and clinician info on the setup screen. It saves automatically and appears on every PDF you generate for families.

Enter utterances from your sample

Record 15–30 minutes of natural play or conversation. Aim for 50–100 utterances. Type each one, count morphemes using the built-in guide, and enter the count. MLU updates in real time. You need at least 10 utterances for a reliable Brown's Stage match.

Check Let's Talk stage skills

Work through the observational checklist for each stage based on what you saw in the session. At 90% of a stage checked, it marks as mastered. The first incomplete stage highlights as the working stage and suggested goals appear automatically.

Download and share one click

Generate a parent summary PDF with MLU, Brown's Stage, Let's Talk stage, strengths, growth areas, and goals. Download the stage-specific parent handout to send home. All branded with your practice name.

What you get

Everything included for $39

One-time purchase. Single-user license. Use it in as many sessions as you want.

✓

MLU calculatorReal-time morpheme and utterance tracking with running MLU.

✓

Brown's Stage matchingAutomatic Stage I–V identification from your MLU score.

✓

14 morphemes checklistObservational checklist of Brown's 14 grammatical morphemes organized by stage.

✓

Let's Talk stage assessment5-stage observational checklist with auto-identification.

✓

Stage-specific goal suggestions5 IEP-ready goals per stage, selectable with one click.

✓

Parent handout downloadsGoal ideas and home tips handout for the working stage.

✓

Parent summary PDFBranded with your practice name, generated in one click.

✓

Morpheme counting referenceBuilt-in guide so you count accurately every time.

✓

Works on any deviceBrowser-based — iPad, laptop, desktop, phone.

✓

Unlimited sessionsUse it forever with your own clients.

Pricing

Simple, one-time pricing

Individual SLP license

Early Language Assessment Tool

^$39

One-time payment. No subscription. Use it forever.

✓Full browser-based assessment tool — both sections

✓MLU calculator + Brown's Stage matching

✓Let's Talk stage assessment with auto-identification

✓Stage-specific goal suggestions

✓Parent handout downloads for each stage

✓Parent summary PDF — branded with your practice

✓Unlimited sessions with your own clients

Get instant access

You will receive your tool link immediately after purchase.

Better together

Get all 3 assessment tools for $97

Includes the Speech Sound Disorder (PCC), Fluency & Stuttering, and Early Language tools. Save $20 compared to buying separately.

$117 separately

$97

Save $20 · All 3 tools

Get the bundle →

Questions? thespeechsource@gmail.com

Questions

Things people ask us

Is this a standardized assessment?

No — this is an informal clinical tool designed to complement your formal standardized assessments. MLU is based on Brown (1973), a foundational research framework. The Let's Talk stages were developed by The Speech Source based on developmental research and clinical experience. Always use clinical judgment alongside the results.

How many utterances do I need?

The tool provides an MLU display from your first utterance, but research recommends 50–100 utterances for accuracy. The Brown's Stage match only activates after 10 utterances. Aim for a 15–30 minute natural play or conversation sample.

What age range is this appropriate for?

Brown's Stages span roughly 12 months through 4+ years. The Let's Talk framework begins at 3 months (The Observer) through 36+ months (The Converser). Most appropriate for children in early intervention through early preschool age.

Does it work on an iPad?

Yes. The tool works in any modern browser on any device. Many SLPs use it on an iPad during session — type utterances as you listen, and the MLU updates in real time.

What are the parent handouts?

Each Let's Talk stage has two downloadable handouts — a Goal Ideas page with specific therapy goals for that stage, and a Home Tips page with everyday activities organized by routine (morning, playtime, bathtime, mealtime, on the go, storytime, and nighttime). These are The Speech Source originals from the Let's Talk Coaching Program.

Can I use this for more than one child?

Absolutely. Use the Reset button between sessions to clear the data. Your practice info stays saved. One license covers unlimited sessions with your own clients.