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.
ShannonMom of three autistic sonsIt's just really been a joy to see how much fun he has using the app.
AnaMom of a 2-year-oldIt's definitely one of my favorite apps right now for my little one.
NoelleMom, sister of a speech therapistMy sister is an SLP, and she actually told us to download this app for my kid.
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.
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, good for a short walk to one favorite spot. 5858 Shoup Avenue, Woodland Hills, CA 91367.
Name something your child notices with a short phrase, such as “big tree.” Pause for their response.
Woodland Hills’ Los Angeles Public Library branch. Borrow a book about a favorite animal or vehicle. 22200 Ventura Boulevard, Woodland Hills, CA 91364.
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.
Woodland Hills families can get a free speech evaluation and keep practicing at home in the meantime. The recreation center on Shoup Avenue and the library on Ventura Boulevard are easy places to talk and play.
Under 3, your first call goes to a regional center. It runs Early Start, California’s program for babies and toddlers up to 36 months. Los Angeles has several regional centers, and the state lookup finds yours by address. The evaluation is free, and you can call yourself.
From age 3, your public school district does the free evaluation. Most Woodland Hills homes are in Los Angeles Unified (LAUSD). Write a short note asking for a speech and language evaluation. The district then sends you a plan for the evaluation within 15 days. After you sign it, the district has 60 days to finish and meet with you.
Woodland Hills Recreation Center is on Shoup Avenue. Choose one favorite spot and walk there together each time. On the way, listen for sounds. Say “I hear a dog” or “I hear a car,” then stop and listen with your child. Let them copy the sound or point to where it came from.
The library is at 22200 Ventura Boulevard. Look for a picture book about something from your child’s day, like a pet, a bus or a favorite food. Read one page, then ask, “Where’s the bus?” Wait for your child to point. Then say the word together. Keep the visit short so it’s easy to come back.
We last checked these details in October 2026.
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