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.
AnaMom of a 2-year-oldIt's definitely one of my favorite apps right now for my little one.
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.
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.
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 community park on Governor Drive with two tot lots and a picnic shelter.
Name something your child notices with a short phrase, such as “big tree.” Pause for their response.
University City’s San Diego Public Library branch, with picture books to borrow and read together.
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.
University City families can get a free speech evaluation and practice at home while they wait. Standley Recreation Center on Governor Drive and University Community Library are good places to talk and play.
Babies and toddlers up to 36 months can get help through Early Start, California’s early intervention program. Call San Diego Regional Center at 858-496-4318 to ask for a free evaluation. Anyone can call, including you, and no doctor’s note is needed.
From age 3, ask your public school district for a free speech and language evaluation. Look up your district by address with the San Diego County Office of Education school finder. If you prefer a clinic, Rady Children’s also does speech evaluations. Medi-Cal covers medically necessary speech therapy for children.
Standley Recreation Center has two tot lots and a picnic shelter. Play “ready, set, go” with a race to the slide. Say “ready, set” and wait a moment. Let your child shout “go,” or say it together. Then take turns being the one who says it. If your child says “go” first, run together and laugh.
Let your child pick a picture book, then pick the page too. Name what they point at in two or three words. Then stop and wait. Your child may answer with a look, a sound or a word, and all of these count. A book your child already knows is a great pick. Borrow it and read it again at home.
We last checked these details in October 2026.
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