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For parents in Glendale

Speech therapy for kids in Glendale.

Is your child talking less than other kids their age?

In Glendale, call Lanterman Regional Center’s Early Start program at (213) 252-8610 if your child is under 3. From age 3, Glendale Unified School District runs the free preschool evaluation.

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A child plays with colorful shapes and the Speech Blubs mascot.
GlendaleOfficial sources

Is my child on track?

Signs to look for, by age.

If something on this list worries you, you don’t need to wait and see. You can ask for a free evaluation right away.

Find free help Source: CDC milestones
By 18 months
Tries to say at least 3 words besides “mama” or “dada.”
By 2 years
Puts two words together, like “more milk.”
By 3 years
Has a short back-and-forth conversation with you.
At any age
Stops saying words they used to say.

Free and paid help in Glendale

Where to get help in Glendale.

An evaluation is a check of how your child talks and understands words. It usually happens through play, often with a speech therapist.

02

Age 3 and up: Glendale Unified preschool evaluation

Glendale Unified has special education preschools at five sites, and preschool is free if your child needs special education. The first step is an information meeting, then you sign an assessment plan. The assessment and IEP meeting follow within 60 days of signing. Ask your regional center coordinator to set up the meeting. You can also call Glendale Unified at (818) 241-3111 and ask for special education.

See Glendale Unified’s first steps
03

Any age: Play to Learn Pediatric Therapy Center

Adventist Health’s Play to Learn Center offers speech therapy for children. It is at 2560 Colorado Boulevard, south entrance, in Eagle Rock. Ask about insurance and whether you need a referral.

Visit Play to Learn’s page

These services are run independently of Speech Blubs.

A child and an example of the Speech Blubs app on a phone.

Speech Blubs at home

While you wait, practice at home.

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.

  1. Pick a topic your child loves, like animals or snacks.

  2. Watch together and pause. Give your child time to look, point or say a word.

  3. Use the word later, at snack time or in a book.

Parents on practicing at home

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  • iPhone and Android
  • English, Spanish and 11 more languages

If your child sees a therapist, ask which activities fit.

Everyday ideas

Talk and play around Glendale.

A walk, a book or a snack gives you something to talk about. Follow what your child is looking at.

A path between trees, illustrative photo.
Illustrative photo; it does not show the named location. Michael Telitsyn · Pexels License

01 / Maple Park

City option

Talk about what your child notices.

Maple Park, at 820 East Maple Street, has an inclusive playground with swings, slides and a sensory area.

Take turns on a piece of play equipment. Say “my turn,” then “your turn,” and wait for your child to try the words.

my turnyour turnwhee
Plan your visit
A hand choosing a book from a shelf, illustrative photo.
Illustrative photo; it does not show the named location. Element5 Digital · Pexels License

02 / Glendale Central Library

City option

Start with a favorite picture.

The Central Library, 222 East Harvard Street, has a Children’s Space and Toddler Storytime for ages 18 to 36 months.

Sit together with a short board book. Point to a picture, say its name once, then pause so your child can answer.

storyturn pageall done
Plan your visit
A hand playing with colorful wooden blocks.
Illustrative photo. Michał Bożek · Unsplash License

03 / The app

Offer two choices and pause.

Show two familiar toys or foods and name them. Give your child time to respond with a look, a gesture, a sound or a word.

this onemoreyour turn
The app

Opening hours change, so check the website before you go.

What happens next

From the first call to a plan.

  1. You call.

    Say: “I’m worried about my child’s speech and I’d like an evaluation.” Give your child’s age and where you live.

  2. A therapist meets your child.

    They play and talk with your child to see how they understand and use words.

  3. You get a plan.

    If your child needs support, you agree on the next steps together. If not, ask what to practice at home and when to check again.

Before you call, write down a few words your child says, how they ask for things, and the languages you speak at home.

Questions parents ask in Glendale.

Is speech therapy free in Glendale?

The evaluation is free through Lanterman Regional Center (under 3) and Glendale Unified (from age 3). Preschool is free if your child needs special education. Early Start is California’s early intervention program for babies and toddlers up to 36 months. Its therapy may be billed to Medi-Cal or your insurance first.

How much does speech therapy cost? Does Medi-Cal or insurance pay?

Clinic fees vary, so ask the clinic about the price and which plans it takes. Medi-Cal covers medically necessary speech therapy for children. With private insurance, call the number on your card.

Do I need a doctor’s referral?

Not for Early Start or Glendale Unified. You can contact them yourself. A clinic, Medi-Cal or your insurance plan may need a referral from your child’s doctor.

How long is the wait, and what can I do while I wait?

Lanterman decides whether your child qualifies for Early Start within 45 days of your first contact. Glendale Unified holds the assessment and IEP meeting within 60 days of your signed plan. While you wait, talk, read and play together every day, and try short Speech Blubs activities at home.

My 2-year-old only says a few words. Should I worry about a speech delay?

Many 2-year-olds put two words together, like “more milk.” If your child doesn’t yet, it’s a good time to call Lanterman at (213) 252-8610. The evaluation is free, and you don’t need to wait and see.

Does Speech Blubs replace a speech therapist?

No. Speech Blubs gives you short activities to practice together at home. A speech therapist evaluates your child and plans the therapy. If your child sees a therapist, ask which activities fit.

Which languages is the Speech Blubs app in?

Speech Blubs is available in English (US and UK) and Spanish, plus 11 more languages. These include German, French, Italian, Portuguese, Czech, Swedish, Polish, Hebrew, Hungarian, Lithuanian and Romanian. You can switch the language in the app menu.

Life with little ones in Glendale

Speech therapy for kids in Glendale: help nearby and practice at home

Lanterman Regional Center serves Glendale

Glendale families are served by Frank D. Lanterman Regional Center, whose office is at 3303 Wilshire Boulevard in Los Angeles. Most contact starts by phone or email. The number is (213) 252-8610.

A coordinator calls back within 24 hours. Lanterman decides whether your child qualifies within 45 days of your first contact. Lanterman also serves Pasadena and Hollywood, so your ZIP code decides who covers you.

The handoff to Glendale Unified at age 3

When your child nears 3, your Lanterman coordinator can set up a first meeting with Glendale Unified. Meetings are usually Wednesday mornings and are informational only. You can stop after the meeting by declining the assessment plan.

If you go ahead, bring a birth certificate, immunization record, parent ID and two proofs of residency. The assessment takes one or two sessions of 1 to 2 hours at a school site. Interpreters are available.

Children can start preschool on their third birthday, or as soon after as possible. Classes run Monday to Friday, generally from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Practice close to home

Play to Learn has an Eagle Rock address in Los Angeles. For free practice, the Central Library on Harvard Street has Toddler Storytime, and Maple Park has an inclusive playground.

Bring the same three words to each place, such as “turn,” “more” and “all done.”

Maple Park has held a monthly Maple Inclusive Play Day on the third Saturday, with accessible crafts. The city’s Bookmobile has also run storytime at the Maple Park playground in past summers.

We last checked these details in November 2026.

Sources

· We checked these official pages in November 2026.