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.
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.
MimiMomIt has so many different resources to help your child with their first words up to learning how to build sentences.
ShannonMom of three autistic sonsIt's just really been a joy to see how much fun he has using the app.
ChristinaMom of EdenWe aren't completely there, but we're closer than we ever have been.
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.
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 large regional park with a lake and ball fields. Pick one area for a short visit.
Name something your child notices with a short phrase, such as “big tree.” Pause for their response.
A nearby Sacramento Public Library branch. Borrow a park or picnic story before your visit. 4660 Via Ingoglia, Sacramento, CA 95835.
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.
Natomas Park families can ask for a free speech evaluation and keep practicing at home in the meantime. North Natomas Regional Park and North Natomas Library are good places to talk and play.
If your child is under 3, call Alta California Regional Center at 916-978-6249. Ask for an Early Start evaluation for your baby or toddler. Early Start is California’s program for children up to 36 months, and the evaluation is free. No doctor’s note is needed.
From age 3, the free evaluation comes from your public school district. Most Natomas Park homes are in Natomas Unified School District rather than Sacramento City Unified. Write to the district and ask for a speech and language evaluation. The district sends you a plan for the evaluation within 15 days.
North Natomas Regional Park is large, with separate entrances for the lake and the ball fields. Choose one area before you go. By the lake, play “I see”: say “I see water” or “I see a bird,” then point and wait. Let your child take a turn. Copy their word and add one more.
The library is at 4660 Via Ingoglia. Before a park day, borrow a story about a park, a lake or a picnic. Read it together and name one picture. At the park, point to the real thing and say the word again. Children often join in once they know a story well. Ask the librarian about story times for little kids.
We last checked these details in October 2026.
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