Is your child talking less than other kids their age?
In Fresno, you can get a free speech evaluation. Early Start helps if your child is under 3, and your public school district helps from age 3. Below you’ll find who to call, what happens next and simple ways to practice at home while you wait.
If something on this list worries you, you don’t need to wait and see. You can ask for a free evaluation right away.
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. In Fresno County, Central Valley Regional Center (CVRC) runs it. You can call CVRC yourself.
The school district evaluates children for free from age 3, even before they start school. Your district depends on your home address. In Fresno Unified, call the special education office.
The Fresno State-Scottish Rite Speech and Language Clinic offers speech evaluations and therapy. Graduate students work with your child, supervised by qualified professionals. Call to ask about fees and the wait.
These services are run independently of Speech Blubs.
Watch and respond together.Getting an appointment can take time. Speech Blubs gives you short activities to do together: your child watches other kids say words and make sounds, then tries too.
Pick a topic your child loves, like animals or snacks.
Watch together and pause. Give your child time to look, point or say a word.
Use the word later, at snack time or in a book.
LezlieMom of a toddlerHe looks forward to it every day because we get to take a fun picture.
ShannonMom of three autistic sonsIt's just really been a joy to see how much fun he has using the app.
NoelleMom, sister of a speech therapistMy sister is an SLP, and she actually told us to download this app for my kid.
MimiMomIt has so many different resources to help your child with their first words up to learning how to build sentences.
KaterinaMom and educatorI started looking for something that was research-backed and supported by professionals.
AnaMom of a 2-year-oldIt's definitely one of my favorite apps right now for my little one.
MikeDad of a toddlerGail responds really well to seeing kids his age or a little bit older doing things that he's doing.
Father of a 23-month-oldWhen I tell her it's time to play her game, she runs and gets up on the couch to play.
LindsayMom of a 2-year-oldThey agreed that we could be doing some more practice at home.
ChristinaMom of EdenWe aren't completely there, but we're closer than we ever have been.
If your child sees a therapist, ask which activities fit.
The app content is available in English, German, Spanish, French, Italian, Portuguese, Czech, Swedish, Polish, Hebrew, Hungarian, Lithuanian and Romanian. You can switch the language in the app menu. Read the language FAQ.
Use a walk, a book, or a snack as a reason to talk together. Follow what interests your child.
Fresno has parks and community centers across the city. Pick one close to home.
Name something your child notices with a short phrase, such as “big tree.” Pause for their response.
A Fresno County Public Library branch in southeast Fresno. Look for picture books about animals. 4670 East Butler Avenue, Fresno.
Choose a picture your child likes and talk about it together. Connect it to a toy at home.
Offer two familiar toys or foods and name each one. Give your child time to respond. Follow a look, gesture, sound, or word.
Opening hours change, so check the website before you go.
Short answers about free help, costs and the app.
The evaluation is free: through Early Start under age 3, or through your public school district from age 3. School speech services are free if your child qualifies. Early Start therapy may be billed to Medi-Cal or your health insurance. Find free help.
Medi-Cal covers medically necessary speech therapy for children. Private plans differ, so call the number on your insurance card and ask about pediatric speech therapy. Find free help.
Not for Early Start or the school district: you can contact them yourself. Medi-Cal 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 Early Start for a free evaluation. You don’t need to wait and see. Find free help.
No. It gives you short activities to practice together at home. A speech therapist evaluates your child and plans the therapy. See how the app works.
Speech Blubs is available in English and Spanish, plus 11 more languages. You can switch the language in the app menu. See how the app works.
Speech Blubs is a subscription. You’ll see the current price and any trial in the quiz before you pay. Choose your child’s age.
Start with the quiz to learn about the app for your child.
Hidalgo/Leavenworth families can get a free speech evaluation and practice at home. Mosqueda Branch Library on East Butler Avenue is a good book stop in southeast Fresno.
Hidalgo and Leavenworth schools are both on East Thomas Avenue. For outdoor play, pick a City park or community center close to home. Bubbles make a simple talking game. Blow a few, then stop and wait. Your child may ask for “more” with a look, a sign or a word.
Mosqueda Branch Library is at 4670 East Butler Avenue. Pick it if the trip fits your day, or choose another branch. Look for books about animals. Name each animal and its sound, like “cow, moo.” Then pause and let your child make the sound.
Many families talk in more than one language. Choose an animal picture and ask two family members what they see. Each one can use the language that feels natural. Let your child choose whose idea comes next. You don’t need to translate every word.
Under 3, call Central Valley Regional Center (CVRC) and ask about Early Start. Early Start is California’s program for babies and toddlers up to 36 months. The evaluation is free, and you can call yourself.
From age 3, write to your school district and ask for a speech evaluation. Your district depends on your home address. Say which languages you speak at home. That is useful for the evaluation.
We last checked these details in October 2026.
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