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.
KaterinaMom and educatorI started looking for something that was research-backed and supported by professionals.
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.
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.
ShannonMom of three autistic sonsIt's just really been a joy to see how much fun he has using the app.
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.
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.
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 in the southeast corner of Golden Gate Park, with accessible play and picnic areas for children.
Name something your child notices with a short phrase, such as “big tree.” Pause for their response.
A Sunset branch with children’s books in English and Chinese, plus some in Russian. 1305 18th Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94122.
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 San Francisco, your child can get a free speech evaluation through Golden Gate Regional Center or SFUSD. Neighborhood libraries and playgrounds give you easy, everyday places to talk together.
If your child is under 3, contact Golden Gate Regional Center about Early Start. It serves San Francisco, Marin and San Mateo counties. The evaluation is free, and you don’t need a doctor’s note.
From age 3 to 5, SFUSD evaluates preschool children who live in the city. You start with the district’s preschool request form. SF State’s Nicholas Certo clinic in Burk Hall is another choice. Graduate students see children there under licensed faculty supervision, during the academic semesters.
Several San Francisco library branches have children’s books in Chinese and Russian as well as English. Glen Park also has a small Spanish collection. Ask the librarian to help you find a book in the language you speak at home.
Reading in the language you use with your child is a good choice. A book about something your child loves, like trucks or animals, makes it easy to start talking.
Neighborhood playgrounds include Bernal Heights, Rossi, Noe Valley Courts and West Portal. In the Outer Sunset, West Sunset Playground is right next to Ortega Library. Glen Canyon Park suits a walk better than a quick play stop.
Pick one playground close to home and keep the visit short. Name what your child does, like “up,” “down” or “swing,” and wait for them to answer.
We last checked these details in October 2026.
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