Is your child talking less than other kids their age?
In San Diego, 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 San Diego Regional Center’s Early Start line or apply online to ask for an evaluation.
From age 3, your school district can evaluate your child’s speech, even before kindergarten. Find your district by address with the county school finder, then write to it.
Rady’s speech-language team evaluates children’s speech and language. You share what you notice at home, and the therapist watches how your child communicates.
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.
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.
ShannonMom of three autistic sonsIt's just really been a joy to see how much fun he has using the app.
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.
KaterinaMom and educatorI started looking for something that was research-backed and supported by professionals.
LindsayMom of a 2-year-oldThey agreed that we could be doing some more practice at home.
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.
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.
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 recreation center with three large children’s play areas and picnic tables.
Name something your child notices with a short phrase, such as “big tree.” Pause for their response.
La Jolla’s San Diego Public Library branch. Ask the librarian about story times for little kids.
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.
La Jolla families can ask for a free speech evaluation and keep practicing at home in small moments. La Jolla Recreation Center and La Jolla/Riford Library are good places to talk and play.
For a baby or toddler under 3, call San Diego Regional Center’s Early Start line at 858-496-4318. Early Start is California’s program for children up to 36 months, and the evaluation is free. You can call yourself. Give your child’s age and say what you’ve noticed, like how they ask for things.
For a child 3 or older, ask your public school district in writing for a speech and language evaluation. Your district depends on your address, so use the San Diego County Office of Education school finder. The district sends you a plan for the evaluation within 15 days of your request.
La Jolla Recreation Center has three large children’s play areas and picnic tables. Pick one play area and stay there. Play “where’s the ball?” Hide a small ball under your hand or behind a bench. Ask, “Where’s the ball?” and wait. When your child finds it, say “found it” together.
Bring your child’s favorite topic to the library, like dogs, boats or food. Ask the librarian for a picture book about it. Read one page there and save the rest for home. Name a picture, then add one word: “boat,” then “big boat.” Wait to see if your child copies you. Reading the same book again at home is fine.
We last checked these details in October 2026.
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