Is your child talking less than other kids their age?
In Sacramento, 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. For Sacramento County, call Alta California Regional Center’s Early Start line and ask for an evaluation.
If you live in SCUSD, the district evaluates children from age 3, even before kindergarten. Natomas families may be in Natomas Unified instead, so look up your district first.
UC Davis Health evaluates and treats children’s speech and language, with a focus on medical needs. You need a doctor’s referral for the first appointment.
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.
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.
MimiMomIt has so many different resources to help your child with their first words up to learning how to build sentences.
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.
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.
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.
The neighborhood park that gives Curtis Park its name, good for a short walk together.
Name something your child notices with a short phrase, such as “big tree.” Pause for their response.
A nearby Sacramento Public Library branch. Look for a picture book about your child’s favorite thing. 2112 22nd Street, Sacramento, CA 95818.
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 Curtis Park, help with your child’s speech can start with one phone call. William Curtis Park and the Ella K. McClatchy Library nearby are good places to talk and play together.
For a baby or toddler under 3, call Alta California Regional Center at 916-978-6249. Ask for an Early Start evaluation. Early Start is California’s program for children up to 36 months. The evaluation is free, and you don’t need a doctor’s note.
From age 3, your public school district does the free evaluation. Most Curtis Park homes are in Sacramento City Unified (SCUSD). Send a short written request and keep a copy. Ask for a speech and language evaluation, and say which languages you speak at home. School speech services are free if your child qualifies.
William Curtis Park is the park that gives the neighborhood its name. Make it a short walk with one stop. Play “stop and go”: walk together, then say “stop” and freeze. After a few rounds, let your child say “go.” Then sit for a moment and talk about one thing you saw. Take turns being the one who calls “stop.”
The library is at 2112 22nd Street. Bring your child’s favorite topic, like a pet, a bus or a food. Look for a picture book about it and share one page there. Name a picture and add one word, like “dog” and then “big dog.” Take the book home and keep the conversation going.
We last checked these details in October 2026.
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