Pediatric speech evaluation in Sherman Oaks, a visit that starts with you
We visit homes in Sherman Oaks, and video works too. The visit opens with a conversation between you and a licensed speech-language pathologist, and the play comes after that.
Children up to age 18
Your home or a video call; a school when you consent in writing and it agrees; a private Westlake Village office on request
Three business days from the free call, at the latest
Maybe a doctor or a teacher suggested a speech evaluation. Or maybe you noticed something yourself while talking with your child at dinner. A pediatric speech evaluation in Sherman Oaks is a visit built around play, led by a licensed speech-language pathologist. Along the way, the therapist notes how a child takes in language, puts words to use, shapes sounds, and relates to others. A written report follows. No diagnosis or referral is needed.
Are home visits available in Sherman Oaks, and how soon could we begin?
Yes, we visit homes in Sherman Oaks, and a video call works as well. Once you have had your free 15-minute call, the visit follows within 3 business days.
Your child's school can be the setting too. It takes your written consent and the school's agreement. Westlake Village also has a private office, on Townsgate Road, available if you ask.
A call on Monday could lead to a visit that Wednesday. Expect it to run somewhere between 60 and 90 minutes, depending on your child's age, the areas covered, and how the day is going. Whenever it feels right, start with a free 15-minute call.
Questions about how your child talks?
Share a few lines about your child's talking, and a licensed therapist will take a look.
Home visits: we visit homes in Sherman Oaks. Video works too, and so does a school (written consent plus the school's agreement) or a private office if you ask.
What actually happens in a pediatric speech evaluation in Sherman Oaks?
The therapist begins by talking with you, then turns to play with your child. Tests chosen for your child's age, the standardized kind, are tucked into the games.
Along the way, the therapist notices what a child understands, how words are put together, and which sounds come out clearly. Age and your concerns guide what gets a closer look.
A co-founder of the practice leads each speech evaluation here: Nita Anavim, M.S., CCC-SLP. For the full picture of a visit, see our speech evaluation page. For what sessions look like afterward, see speech therapy in Sherman Oaks.
When do we hear back, and what does the report say?
Fourteen business days after the visit is the latest the written report will arrive. If the report recommends therapy, it arrives together with a therapy plan.
The report uses plain language and says what your child does well. It ends with a clear recommendation: therapy, periodic monitoring, or strategies for home.
A report that does not recommend therapy says so, and it names the things worth watching. The report is yours to share with the pediatrician or the school, if you choose. In-home and telehealth therapy have no waiting list here, as of October 2026.
Is my baby or toddler too young for an evaluation?
No. A visit can happen at any age from birth to 18, and a toddler may work in shorter stretches with breaks.
Our Sherman Oaks page names the regional center there as North Los Angeles County Regional Center. That center's Early Start page lists one way to qualify: a developmental delay of at least 25% in one or more areas, including expressive and receptive communication.
What does the Sherman Oaks library offer?
The Los Angeles Public Library's page for the Sherman Oaks Martin Pollard Branch Library says STAR volunteers read to children one-on-one or in small groups, and no sign-up is required. The same page lists Russian and Spanish among its language collections.
In October 2026, the library's event listings for its Sherman Oaks branch included a STAR storytime for babies, toddlers and kids, on Wednesdays through December 16, 2026. They also listed one for ages 3 and older, on Tuesdays through December 22, 2026. It is worth checking with the branch before you go.
What is there for a preschooler, and what do the county and the school district offer parents?
The City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks lists Little Folks at the Van Nuys Sherman Oaks Recreation Center. It calls the program a pre-school type program for children three and a half to five years old.
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health's Help Me Grow LA page says parents can fill out a free ASQ questionnaire. It calls the questionnaire a developmental screening tool, a way to see if a child's developmental progress is on track. The page also says it is always okay to ask for a developmental screening if you ever have a concern.
The Los Angeles Unified School District's special education Parents page offers a parent workshop resource. It is described as an overview of the special education process and how to be an active partner in your child's education.
Can we use insurance, and what if we pay on our own?
The evaluation counts as a clinical service. Village is how insurance can be used for it, and your plan sets the level of coverage.
Village accepts TRICARE, and it accepts PPO plans from several major insurers. You pay a copay or a deductible, depending on your plan, and Village adds its own per-visit fee.
Paying privately means you receive a superbill from us, and you can send it to your own insurer to ask about possible reimbursement. Bring your plan questions to a free 15-minute call. We review your coverage there, before you commit to anything.
Three quick answers before you book
Does my child need a referral or diagnosis before we can book?
No. You can book without a referral from a doctor and without a diagnosis. A concern of your own is reason enough to ask.
How fast will someone get back to me?
Each message is read by a licensed therapist. Expect an answer inside one business day.
Is the first call really free?
Yes. The 15-minute consultation is a free call to talk things over, and the evaluation is a separate visit.
Families nearby can read the same evaluation page for Reseda, Northridge, or Winnetka. For hands, movement, or the senses, the OT evaluation in Sherman Oaks is the page to read, and the Sherman Oaks page covers both services.
Not sure if your child needs therapy?
Start with a free 15 minute consultation. No commitment, just clarity on whether your child would benefit and what the next step looks like.
Speech therapy and occupational therapy for children ages 0 to 18.
“Children reach milestones in how they play, learn, speak, behave, and move (such as crawling, walking, or jumping).”
Wanting to understand your child's words a little better is a caring reason to reach out.
Request your free 15-minute consultation
Tell us what you are noticing about your child. A licensed therapist and our team read every message. Within one business day, our team calls to learn what you need and check insurance, then sets up a free call with Nita, Rachel or both. The consultation is free, lasts about 15 minutes, and carries no obligation. There is no waiting list. If you would rather talk now, call (805) 702-3427.
Share a few lines about your child's talking, and a licensed therapist will take a look.
