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.
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.
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.
KaterinaMom and educatorI started looking for something that was research-backed and supported by professionals.
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.
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 county park with trails, green space and picnic areas, and a farming history to talk about.
Name something your child notices with a short phrase, such as “big tree.” Pause for their response.
A San Jose Public Library branch near Blossom Valley, good for picture books to read at home. 4270 Pearl Avenue, San Jose, CA 95136.
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.
Blossom Valley families can ask for a free speech evaluation and practice at home while they wait. Martial Cottle Park and the Pearl Avenue library are good places nearby to talk and play.
For a child 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 ask through Stars Infant Development. The evaluation is free, and you don’t need a doctor’s note to ask.
From age 3, write to your public school district and ask for a free speech and language evaluation. Find your district with the Santa Clara County Office of Education locator. Keep a copy of your letter. School speech services are free if your child qualifies.
Martial Cottle Park is a county park with trails, green space and picnic areas, and a long farming history. Talk about what you see on the trail, like “big tree” or “dirt path.” Then play a farm sound game at a picnic table. Say “cow” and wait for your child to say “moo.” Take turns choosing the animal.
The library is at 4270 Pearl Avenue. Let your child choose a picture book and pause on a page they enjoy. Name one thing they point to and wait for a response. The same book week after week is fine. Familiar books make it easier for your child to join in. Ask the librarian about story times for babies and toddlers.
We last checked these details in October 2026.
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