Speech Evaluation for Kids

How do I know if my child needs a speech evaluation?

Trust the pattern you are seeing. None of these means something is wrong. Each is a reason to find out.

• Few or no words by 18 monthsWords are slow to come, or very few.
• No two-word phrases by age 2Words stay single, like "milk" instead of "more milk."
• Hard to understand at age 3People outside the family often can't follow.
• FrustrationMeltdowns come when a message won't get across.
• Words that stoppedWords your child used before have gone away.
• Someone raised itA pediatrician or teacher mentioned a concern.

If you came here on your own instinct, without a referral, that counts too. Parents usually notice patterns before anyone names them.

What happens during a speech evaluation for kids?

Your speech-language pathologist talks with you first, then plays with your child. It looks like play, and it is. But she is listening for specific things.

How your child follows a direction. How they ask for something they want. Which sounds are clear and which are not. How they take turns in a game. Standardized tests chosen for your child's age are mixed in with the play.

You are part of it, not a spectator. Expect questions about birth history, ear infections, milestones, and how your child does at home compared with school or daycare. Parents notice things a therapist would need several visits to see, so what you report counts alongside what is measured.

Today, evaluations happen at home, at your child's school, by telehealth, or in a private office on Townsgate Road on request. From December 1, 2026, they can also happen in one of eight treatment rooms at our new clinic, 2535 Townsgate Road. Home, school, and telehealth visits continue after that.

How long does a speech evaluation take?

A speech evaluation for kids takes 60 to 90 minutes for most children. The exact length depends on your child's age, how many areas we look at, and how your child is doing that day.

If an evaluation is the right next step after your free consultation, it is scheduled within 3 business days. For example, a family who calls on a Monday can have the evaluation that Wednesday. If you want to start before the written report is ready, the first session can be as soon as 5 days after your call. Rush evaluations are available on request.

What does a speech evaluation cover?

Which areas we look at depends on your child's age and your concerns. For example, a speech evaluation for kids can cover any of these:

• Receptive languageWhat your child understands.→
• Expressive languageWhat your child can say, and how they put words together.→
• Speech soundsWhich sounds are clear, and which are not yet.→
• FluencySmooth talking, including stuttering.→
• Social communicationTaking turns, joining in, and playing with others.→
• Play skillsHow your child plays, alone and with others.

If motor or sensory concerns come up, we may also recommend an occupational therapy evaluation.

What should we do before the speech evaluation?

Keep it simple and positive. Tell your child a friendly grown-up is coming to play.

Have any prior reports handy and jot down your main concerns. A quiet, familiar space helps your child feel at ease, at home or on a video call. Bring glasses or hearing aids if your child uses them, and try to schedule around naps and meals. There is nothing your child needs to study or practice.

What do I get after the speech evaluation?

Within 14 business days, you get the written evaluation, and a clear treatment plan if therapy is recommended. It is written in plain language.

The report covers what your child does well, where they are behind for their age if they are, and a specific recommendation. If therapy is recommended, the plan sets graduation goals, the skills that show a child is ready to finish therapy, and a schedule that fits your family.

If therapy is not recommended, we say so and tell you what to watch for.

Should we wait and see?

You don't have to wait and see if you think there might be a problem, according to the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). Late talkers can start talking more on their own, and no one can tell in advance which ones will.

That is the reason speech-language pathologists recommend an evaluation when a parent is concerned. It replaces guessing with information. If your child is developing typically, you get reassurance and a few simple strategies. If not, you get a specific recommendation for next steps.

Across the country, children wait more than 13 weeks for some pediatric specialty appointments, and 20 weeks or more for certain ones, according to the Children's Hospital Association (March 2026). As of October 2026, Therapy Clubhouse has no waiting list for in-home or telehealth therapy.

How is a speech evaluation different from an OT evaluation?

A speech evaluation looks at understanding, talking, sounds, and social communication. An OT evaluation looks at movement, sensory processing, and daily tasks like dressing and handwriting.

Some children need one, some need both. If you are not sure, our pediatric therapy evaluation overview shows how families decide.

Occupational therapist · Co-founder

Rachel Yashouafar, MA, OTR/L

Occupational therapy for handwriting, sensory needs, feeding, and everyday skills.

See occupational therapy →

Who does the speech evaluation?

At Therapy Clubhouse, each speech evaluation for kids is led by Nita Anavim, M.S., CCC-SLP. She is a licensed speech-language pathologist and co-founder.

Speech-language pathologist · Co-founder

Nita AnavimM.S., CCC-SLP

Degrees

M.S. and B.S., Communicative Disorders and Sciences, California State University, Northridge

Certification

Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC-SLP), American Speech-Language-Hearing Association

California license

No. 38532Verify on the state license search (opens in a new tab) ↗

“I want them to leave feeling like they came to play with someone new.”

Meet Nita →

Does insurance or the Regional Center cover speech evaluations?

Coverage depends on your plan. You can use your insurance through our partner, Village, which handles the billing. Village accepts PPO plans from several major insurers, and TRICARE.

Village also charges its own fee for each visit, in addition to your copay or deductible. Before therapy starts, Village goes over the expected cost with you.

We are waiting to become in network with major insurance companies. Until then, Village is how insurance works with us.

You can also pay privately, and we give you a superbill to send to your plan for possible out-of-network reimbursement. On the free 15-minute call, we check your coverage before you commit to anything.

Children under 3 may qualify for Early Start services through Tri-Counties Regional Center (TCRC). Therapy Clubhouse is a TCRC provider.

Which towns do you visit for speech evaluations?

Every town below is in our home-visit area, so the evaluation can happen at home. Telehealth is available anywhere in California. Choose your town to see its page.

• Camarillo
• Lake Sherwood
• Moorpark
• Newbury Park
• Oak Park
• Oxnard
• Port Hueneme
• Simi Valley
• Thousand Oaks
• Ventura

We also visit Bell Canyon, which does not have its own page yet.

• Agoura Hills
• Bel Air
• Beverly Hills
• Brentwood
• Burbank
• Calabasas
• Canoga Park
• Century City
• Chatsworth
• Culver City
• Encino
• Granada Hills
• Hidden Hills
• Hollywood Hills
• Lake Balboa
• Malibu
• Mar Vista
• North Hollywood
• Northridge
• Pacific Palisades
• Palms
• Porter Ranch
• Reseda
• Santa Monica
• Sherman Oaks
• Studio City
• Tarzana
• Toluca Lake
• Topanga
• Valley Glen
• Valley Village
• Van Nuys
• West Hills
• West Hollywood
• West Los Angeles
• Westlake Village
• Westwood
• Winnetka
• Woodland Hills

What else do parents ask about speech evaluations?