For parents in San Antonio

Speech therapy for kids in San Antonio.

Is your child talking less than other kids their age?

In San Antonio, you can get a free speech evaluation. ECI 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.

A child and Finny, the Speech Blubs mascot, playing with colorful shapes.
A little play.
Every day.
San Antonio, TexasOfficial sources
Is my child on track?

Signs to look for, by age.

If something on this list worries you, you don’t need to wait and see. You can ask for a free evaluation right away.

By 18 months
Tries to say at least 3 words besides “mama” or “dada.”
By 2 years
Puts two words together, like “more milk.”
By 3 years
Has a short back-and-forth conversation with you.
At any age
Stops saying words they used to say.
Free and paid help in San Antonio

Where to get help in San Antonio.

An evaluation is a check of how your child talks and understands words. It usually happens through play, often with a speech therapist.

Under 3 · free evaluation

ECI (Early Childhood Intervention)

ECI is Texas’s early intervention program for babies and toddlers up to 36 months. You can call ECI yourself, without a doctor’s referral.

The evaluation is free. If your child needs therapy, the cost depends on your family’s size and income. No family is turned away because they can’t pay.
Find ECI by ZIP code
Age 3 and up · free evaluation

San Antonio ISD (public schools)

Your public school district evaluates children from age 3 for free, even before they start school. If you live in San Antonio ISD, send a short written request to its special education office.

The district must answer in writing within 15 school days. Your school district depends on your home address.
San Antonio ISD special education
Any age · clinic

UT Health San Antonio speech therapy

A UT Health San Antonio speech-language pathologist treats children’s speech, language and feeding concerns. You can ask for an appointment through the provider page.

Texas Medicaid covers speech therapy for children when it’s medically necessary. Your child’s doctor can write the referral.
See the speech therapist’s page

These services are run independently of Speech Blubs.

Speech Blubs collage showing a young child and a child on a smartphone screen.Watch and respond together.
Speech Blubs at home

While you wait, practice at home.

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.

  1. 01

    Pick a topic your child loves, like animals or snacks.

  2. 02

    Watch together and pause. Give your child time to look, point or say a word.

  3. 03

    Use the word later, at snack time or in a book.

Parents on practicing at home

Start the quiz
  • iPhone and Android
  • English, Spanish and 11 more languages

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.

San Antonio, Texas

Talk and play around San Antonio.

Use a walk, a book, or a snack as a reason to talk together. Follow what interests your child.

A pathway through green trees; an illustrative park photo.
Illustrative photo · Michael Telitsyn · Pexels License
01 / King William Park

Talk about what your child notices.

A small park on King William Street with benches and a gazebo. Sit together and take turns naming what you see, like “bird” or “tree.” 131 King William Street.

Name something your child notices with a short phrase, such as “big tree.” Pause for their response.

big treewalkingbird
Plan your visit
A hand selecting a book from library shelves; an illustrative photo.
Illustrative photo · Element5 Digital · Pexels License
02 / Landa Library

Start with a favorite picture.

A San Antonio Public Library branch with garden spaces. Look for flowers or birds outside, then find a picture book about them.

Choose a picture your child likes and talk about it together. Connect it to a toy at home.

turn pageone morebook
Plan your visit
A hand playing with colorful wooden blocks on a table.
Michał Bożek · Unsplash License
03 / Your everyday routine

Offer two choices and pause.

Offer two familiar toys or foods and name each one. Give your child time to respond. Follow a look, gesture, sound, or word.

this onemoreyour turn
Read the app FAQs

Opening hours change, so check the website before you go.

What happens next

From the first call to a plan.

Before you call, write down a few words your child says, how they ask for things, and the languages you speak at home.

San Antonio neighborhood guides
01

You call.

Say: “I’m worried about my child’s speech and I’d like an evaluation.” Give your child’s age and where you live.

02

A therapist meets your child.

They play and talk with your child to see how they understand and use words.

03

You get a plan.

If your child needs support, you agree on the next steps together. If not, ask what to practice at home and when to check again.

FAQs

Questions parents ask in San Antonio.

Short answers about free help, costs and the app.

Is speech therapy free in San Antonio?

The evaluation is free: through ECI under age 3, or through your public school district from age 3. School speech services are free if your child qualifies. ECI therapy costs depend on family size and income, and no family is turned away because they can’t pay. Find free help.

Does Medicaid or insurance cover speech therapy?

Texas Medicaid covers speech therapy for children when it’s medically necessary. Private plans differ, so call the number on your insurance card and ask about pediatric speech therapy. Find free help.

Do I need a doctor’s referral?

Not for ECI or the school district: you can contact them yourself. The school district must answer a written request for an evaluation in writing within 15 school days. Texas Medicaid and many insurance plans need a referral from your child’s doctor. Find free help.

My 2-year-old only says a few words. Should I worry about a speech delay?

Many 2-year-olds put two words together, like “more milk.” If your child doesn’t yet, it’s a good time to ask ECI for a free evaluation. You don’t need to wait and see. Find free help.

Does Speech Blubs replace a speech therapist?

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.

Which languages is the app in?

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.

How much does Speech Blubs cost?

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.

Little words. Every day.

Explore Speech Blubs for home practice.

Start with the quiz to learn about the app for your child.

Life with little ones in San Antonio

Speech therapy for kids in San Antonio: help nearby and practice at home

San Antonio families can get a free speech evaluation from ECI under 3, or their school district from age 3. King William Park and Landa Library, with its garden spaces, are good places to practice talking together.

Getting a free speech evaluation in San Antonio

ECI (Early Childhood Intervention) is Texas’s program for babies and toddlers up to 36 months. Call ECI yourself, no doctor’s referral needed. The evaluation is free, and no family is turned away for cost. From age 3, write to your school district and ask for a speech and language evaluation. San Antonio has several school districts, including San Antonio ISD and North East ISD. Your district depends on your home address, whether you live in King William, Tobin Hill, Monte Vista or Stone Oak.

Speech therapy at UT Health San Antonio

At UT Health San Antonio, a speech-language pathologist treats children’s speech, language and feeding concerns. You can ask for an appointment through the provider page. When you get in touch, ask about fees, wait times and the language of the evaluation. Bring a few notes about the words your child uses and the languages you speak at home. Texas Medicaid covers speech therapy for children when it’s medically necessary, with a doctor’s referral.

Parks and libraries close to home

King William Park, at 131 King William Street, is a small park with benches and a gazebo. Sit together and take turns naming what you see, like “bird” or “big tree.” Landa Library has garden spaces, and Parman Library connects with Panther Springs Park. Pick a picture book about something your child saw outside. Let them choose the page, name what they point at and read it again at home.

We last checked these details in October 2026.

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