Is your child talking less than other kids their age?
In San Jose, 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. In Santa Clara County, you ask for an evaluation through Stars Infant Development.
From age 3, your school district can evaluate your child’s speech, even before kindergarten. San Jose has several school districts, so find yours by address with the county locator.
Stanford’s speech-language team evaluates and treats children with speech and language needs. Contact the team to book a first evaluation.
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.
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.
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.
AnaMom of a 2-year-oldIt's definitely one of my favorite apps right now for my little one.
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.
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 city park with play areas for ages 2 to 5 and 5 to 12, plus picnic areas. 3050 Berryessa Road, San Jose, CA 95132.
Name something your child notices with a short phrase, such as “big tree.” Pause for their response.
Berryessa’s San Jose Public Library branch. Look for a picture book about your child’s favorite thing. 3355 Noble Avenue, San Jose, CA 95132.
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.
Berryessa families can get a free speech evaluation and keep talking and playing at home in the meantime. Penitencia Creek Park and the library on Noble Avenue are close by.
If your child is under 3, start with Early Start, California’s program for babies and toddlers up to 36 months. San Andreas Regional Center runs it, and Santa Clara County families go through Stars Infant Development. The evaluation is free, and you can ask for it yourself.
From age 3, your public school district does the free evaluation. Find your district by street address with the Santa Clara County Office of Education locator. Ask that district in writing for a speech and language evaluation. On the first call, say which languages your child hears at home.
Penitencia Creek Park has play areas for ages 2 to 5 and 5 to 12, plus picnic areas. Start in the area for little kids. Bring a snack and play a choosing game. Offer two snacks, name both and wait. When your child chooses, name it again: “grapes, yum.” Then let your child offer you a choice too.
The library is at 3355 Noble Avenue. Think of your child’s favorite thing, like a pet, a bus or a food. Look for a picture book about it and read one page before you check it out. At home, ask, “Where’s the bus?” and wait for your child to point. Then say the word together. Keep the book by the bed for tomorrow.
We last checked these details in October 2026.
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