Is your child talking less than other kids their age?
In Los Angeles, 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. Los Angeles has several regional centers, so look up the one for your address and call it.
If you live in LAUSD, the district evaluates children from age 3, even before kindergarten. Ask its preschool team for a speech and language evaluation.
CHLA’s speech-language team evaluates and treats children’s speech and language. Contact CHLA to book 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.
KaterinaMom and educatorI started looking for something that was research-backed and supported by professionals.
LezlieMom of a toddlerHe looks forward to it every day because we get to take a fun picture.
AnaMom of a 2-year-oldIt's definitely one of my favorite apps right now for my little one.
MimiMomIt has so many different resources to help your child with their first words up to learning how to build sentences.
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.
LindsayMom of a 2-year-oldThey agreed that we could be doing some more practice at home.
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.
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.
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 neighborhood recreation center with an outdoor children’s play area and picnic tables. 12621 Rye Street, Studio City, CA 91604.
Name something your child notices with a short phrase, such as “big tree.” Pause for their response.
Studio City’s Los Angeles Public Library branch. Pick a few picture books to read together at home. 12511 Moorpark Street, Studio City, CA 91604.
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.
Studio City families can get a free speech evaluation and practice at home in the meantime. The recreation center on Rye Street and the library on Moorpark Street are good places to start talking and playing.
Your child’s age decides your first call. Under 3, it’s Early Start, California’s program for babies and toddlers up to 36 months. Los Angeles has several regional centers, so find yours by address with the state lookup. Then call and say you’d like an evaluation of your child’s speech. The evaluation is free, and anyone can make the call, including you.
From age 3, the first step is a short letter to Los Angeles Unified (LAUSD). Most Studio City homes are in LAUSD. Ask for a speech and language evaluation and give your child’s age and address. School speech services are free if your child qualifies.
Studio City Recreation Center has an outdoor children’s play area and picnic tables. Bring a small snack and play a choosing game. Hold up two snacks, name each one and wait. Your child can point, reach or say a word. Then hand over the one they chose and name it again: “cracker, yum.”
The library is at 12511 Moorpark Street. Look for a book about something your child loves, like animals or trucks. When you read it, pause before a word your child knows well. Wait a few seconds and let them fill it in. If they don’t, say it with a smile and keep going. Borrowing the same book again is fine. Children often join in once they know the words.
We last checked these details in October 2026.
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