Is your child talking less than other kids their age?
In Oakland, 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. Call RCEB’s Early Start line to ask for an evaluation for your child.
Oakland Unified’s center evaluates young children whose families live in Oakland. Call the center or use its website to ask for an evaluation.
The hospital’s speech therapy clinic evaluates and treats children with speech and language needs. Contact the clinic 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.
ShannonMom of three autistic sonsIt's just really been a joy to see how much fun he has using the app.
MimiMomIt has so many different resources to help your child with their first words up to learning how to build sentences.
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.
NoelleMom, sister of a speech therapistMy sister is an SLP, and she actually told us to download this app for my kid.
LezlieMom of a toddlerHe looks forward to it every day because we get to take a fun picture.
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.
ChristinaMom of EdenWe aren't completely there, but we're closer than we ever have been.
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.
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 park at the base of Dimond Canyon with picnic areas, Lions Pool and canyon trails.
Name something your child notices with a short phrase, such as “big tree.” Pause for their response.
An Oakland Public Library branch with books in English, Chinese, Spanish and Arabic. 3565 Fruitvale Avenue, Oakland, CA 94602.
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 the Dimond, a free speech evaluation and good places to talk are right in the neighborhood. Dimond Branch Library on Fruitvale Avenue and Dimond Park are easy everyday stops.
For a child under 3, contact the Regional Center of the East Bay and ask about Early Start. Early Start is California’s early intervention program for babies and toddlers up to 36 months. Parents can call directly, and the evaluation is free. For preschool-age children, call Oakland Unified’s Early Childhood Evaluation Center at 510-879-5013. UCSF Benioff Children’s Oakland also has a speech therapy clinic. Hospital clinics may need a doctor’s referral. Before you call, write down how your child asks for things.
Dimond Park has picnic areas and Lions Pool, with trails going up Dimond Canyon. Talk about what happens next during your visit: “walk,” “sit,” “eat” and “go home.” Say each word as you do it. Next time, pause before the word and let your child try. A look or a gesture is a fine answer too. Try it on the walk home as well.
Dimond Branch Library is at 3565 Fruitvale Avenue. A library visit can be as small as choosing one book. Look at the cover together and name one thing on it. Let your child decide when to turn the page. At home, put the book on the shelf and ask, “Where’s our book?” Wait for your child to show you. If there’s a toddler storytime, give it a try together.
We last checked these details in October 2026.
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