Is your child talking less than other kids their age?
In Irvine, 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. If you live in Orange County, contact RCOC and ask for an evaluation.
From age 3, your school district evaluates your child’s speech, even before kindergarten. Some Irvine homes are in Tustin, Saddleback Valley or Santa Ana districts instead of IUSD.
CHOC’s rehabilitation team evaluates and treats children’s speech and language. Call the number below to ask about a first evaluation.
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.
AnaMom of a 2-year-oldIt's definitely one of my favorite apps right now for my little one.
KaterinaMom and educatorI started looking for something that was research-backed and supported by professionals.
MimiMomIt has so many different resources to help your child with their first words up to learning how to build sentences.
LezlieMom of a toddlerHe looks forward to it every day because we get to take a fun picture.
NoelleMom, sister of a speech therapistMy sister is an SLP, and she actually told us to download this app for my kid.
ShannonMom of three autistic sonsIt's just really been a joy to see how much fun he has using the app.
MikeDad of a toddlerGail responds really well to seeing kids his age or a little bit older doing things that he's doing.
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.
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.
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.
A Woodbridge community park with picnic tables, a picnic shelter and an amphitheater. The picnic area is a calm spot for a snack and a chat. 20 Lake Road, Irvine, CA 92604.
Name something your child notices with a short phrase, such as “big tree.” Pause for their response.
An Irvine Public Library branch in University Park. Let your child choose a picture book to take home.
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.
In Irvine, a free speech evaluation comes from the Regional Center of Orange County or your school district. Village parks and the city’s three libraries make easy places to talk together.
If your child is under 3, contact the Regional Center of Orange County about Early Start. You need to live in Orange County. The evaluation is free, and you don’t need a doctor’s note.
From age 3, your school district does the evaluation. Irvine homes can be in IUSD, Tustin, Saddleback Valley or Santa Ana districts, depending on the address. Ask your district’s special education office for a speech and language evaluation. CHOC is another choice if you would like a hospital clinic.
Irvine Public Library has three branches: Heritage Park, University Park and Katie Wheeler. Pick the branch closest to your village for a short, easy visit.
Let your child choose a book and turn the pages. Name what they point at, then pause so they can answer. Reading the same book again at home is fine. Children often join in once they know the words.
Irvine has community parks in Northwood, Woodbury, Portola Springs, Turtle Rock and other villages. Mike Ward Community Park in Woodbridge has picnic tables and a shelter. Smaller neighborhood parks, like San Marco Park in Westpark, are good for a quick stop.
Choose a bench or a picnic spot and talk about what you see. Say two words, like “red ball,” then give your child time to answer.
We last checked these details in October 2026.
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