Is your child talking less than other kids their age?
In Long Beach, 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. Harbor Regional Center serves Long Beach, so call its Early Start line to ask for an evaluation.
From age 3, your school district evaluates your child’s speech, even before kindergarten. Ask your child’s school or LBUSD’s special education office for an evaluation.
Miller Children’s offers speech therapy for children at the Cherese Mari Laulhere Children’s Village, 2701 Atlantic Avenue. Call the number below to ask about a first visit.
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.
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.
ShannonMom of three autistic sonsIt's just really been a joy to see how much fun he has using the app.
KaterinaMom and educatorI started looking for something that was research-backed and supported by professionals.
NoelleMom, sister of a speech therapistMy sister is an SLP, and she actually told us to download this app for my kid.
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.
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.
LindsayMom of a 2-year-oldThey agreed that we could be doing some more practice at home.
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 city park on Atherton Street with playgrounds, a picnic area, sports fields and a community center.
Name something your child notices with a short phrase, such as “big tree.” Pause for their response.
The Los Altos branch of Long Beach Public Library, with picture books to borrow. 5614 East Britton Drive, Long Beach, CA 90815.
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 Los Altos, help with your child’s speech starts close to home. You can ask for a free evaluation and practice at Whaley Park and Los Altos Neighborhood Library.
If your child is under 3, contact Harbor Regional Center and ask about Early Start. Early Start is California’s program for babies and toddlers up to 36 months, and the evaluation is free. From age 3, ask Long Beach Unified (LBUSD) in writing for a speech and language evaluation. If you’re not sure which district serves your address, LBUSD’s special education office can tell you. Miller Children’s, at 2701 Atlantic Avenue, also offers speech therapy for children. Hospital clinics may need a doctor’s referral.
Whaley Park at 5620 Atherton Street has playgrounds, a picnic area and a community center. Point to two places to play and ask, “This one or that one?” Wait for your child to point, look or say a word. Name their choice as you walk over, like “swing, let’s go.” Then offer the next choice the same way.
Los Altos Neighborhood Library is at 5614 East Britton Drive. Try a book about something your child already likes, such as animals or trucks. Take turns finding one picture. Make the animal sound or the truck noise, then pause. Let your child copy you. Borrowing the book lets you play the same game at home. Ask the staff about story times for little kids.
We last checked these details in October 2026.
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