Is your child talking less than other kids their age?
In San Francisco, 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. Contact Golden Gate Regional Center and ask for an evaluation for your child.
SFUSD evaluates preschool children ages 3 to 5 who live in San Francisco. Fill in the district’s preschool request form to ask for a speech evaluation.
Graduate students evaluate and treat children’s speech and language, supervised by licensed faculty. Apply on the clinic’s website or call to ask about openings.
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.
NoelleMom, sister of a speech therapistMy sister is an SLP, and she actually told us to download this app for my kid.
ShannonMom of three autistic sonsIt's just really been a joy to see how much fun he has using the app.
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.
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.
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.
A playground with an accessible children’s play area, a picnic area and sports facilities. 2 Willard North Street, San Francisco, CA 94118.
Name something your child notices with a short phrase, such as “big tree.” Pause for their response.
A neighborhood branch with children’s books in English, Chinese and Russian. 351 9th Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94118.
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 Inner Richmond, help with your child’s speech starts close to home. You can ask for a free evaluation and practice at Angelo J. Rossi Playground and the Richmond branch library.
If your child is under 3, contact Golden Gate Regional Center about Early Start. Early Start is California’s program for babies and toddlers up to 36 months. Anyone can ask for an evaluation, including parents, and it is free. From age 3 to 5, ask SFUSD, the city’s public school district, through its preschool request form. If your child is already in school, ask the school in writing for a speech evaluation. Tell each team which languages your child hears at home.
Angelo J. Rossi Playground is at 2 Willard North Street. It has an accessible children’s play area and a picnic area. Play “where did it go?” with a ball. Roll it behind a bench and ask, “Where’s the ball?” Wait a moment before you show it. Your child may point, look or say “there.” Then let your child hide it for you.
The Richmond/Senator Milton Marks Branch Library is at 351 9th Avenue. It has children’s books in English, Chinese and Russian. Look for a book about something your child loves, like a bus, a pet or a favorite food. Read one page together before you borrow it. At home, stop before a word your child knows. Give them time to say it, then say it together.
We last checked these details in October 2026.
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