Is your child talking less than other kids their age?
In California and Texas, the first speech evaluation is free. If your child is under 3, call your state’s early intervention program: Early Start in California or ECI in Texas. From age 3, ask your public school district. Choose your city to see who to call and what happens next.
If something on this list worries you, you don’t need to wait and see. You can ask for a free evaluation right away.
Each city guide shows who to call, what therapy costs, what happens next and places nearby to talk and play.
Don’t see your city? Early Start, ECI and public school districts serve families across both states.
An evaluation is a check of how your child talks and understands words. It usually happens through play, often with a speech therapist.
Early Start is California’s early intervention program for babies and toddlers up to 36 months. Regional centers run it, and yours depends on where you live.
ECI (Early Childhood Intervention) is Texas’s early intervention program for babies and toddlers up to 36 months. You can call ECI yourself, without a doctor’s referral.
From age 3, your public school district evaluates children for free, even before kindergarten. Ask in writing for a speech and language evaluation.
These services are run independently of Speech Blubs.
Short answers about free help, costs and the app.
The evaluation is free: through Early Start or ECI under age 3, or your public school district from age 3. School speech services are free if your child qualifies. In California, Early Start therapy may be billed to Medi-Cal or your insurance. In Texas, ECI therapy costs depend on family size and income. Find free help.
Medicaid covers speech therapy for children when it’s medically necessary. In California, Medicaid is called Medi-Cal. Private plans differ, so call the number on your insurance card and ask about pediatric speech therapy. Find free help.
Not for Early Start, ECI or the school district: you can contact them yourself. Medicaid and many insurance plans may ask for a referral from your child’s doctor. Find free help.
Many 2-year-olds put two words together, like “more milk.” If your child doesn’t yet, it’s a good time to ask for a free evaluation. You don’t need to wait and see. Find free help.
No. Speech Blubs is an app with short activities to practice together at home. A speech therapist evaluates your child and plans the therapy.
