Pediatric speech evaluation in Van Nuys, explained in plain words
We visit homes in Van Nuys, and video visits are another choice. Your child is seen by a licensed speech-language pathologist, and no referral is required.
Evaluation inside 3 business days once you have talked with us
Birth through age 18
Home or video. A school, once the school agrees and you have given written consent. A Westlake Village private office, on request.
Maybe your child's doctor or a teacher has brought up an evaluation. Or maybe you are the one who keeps noticing how your child speaks. A pediatric speech evaluation in Van Nuys is an assessment built on play, and a licensed speech-language pathologist runs it.
No diagnosis or referral is needed. During the visit, the therapist may notice what a child understands, which words a child uses, and which sounds come out clearly.
Where does the evaluation happen, and how soon can we begin?
We visit homes in Van Nuys, and a video visit is another choice. If the free call shows an evaluation would help, it takes place within 3 business days.
A school can host the visit once the school agrees to it and you have given written consent. On request, an evaluation can also be held in a private office in Westlake Village. For the evaluation itself, plan on about 60 to 90 minutes, shifting with how the day goes, your child's age, and the areas covered.
For a Monday call, the evaluation can take place that Wednesday. Here, as of October 2026, a family starting therapy at home or on video joins no waiting list. If a short talk would help first, book a free 15-minute consultation.
Wondering about your child's speech or language?
A licensed therapist reads your message, and our team writes back within one business day. Share whatever you have noticed.
Appointments can be by video call, and we visit homes in Van Nuys. You can also ask to use a private office in Westlake Village.
What can I expect from a pediatric speech evaluation in Van Nuys?
The therapist opens by talking with you about your child's history and about what you have noticed. After that, your child plays, and she works tests that suit your child's age into the games.
The areas can also include how words are put together and how your child plays with others. Your child's age and what concerns you decide where the therapist looks. What you see at home carries weight next to what she measures.
Nita Anavim, M.S., CCC-SLP, works as a licensed speech-language pathologist and helped start Therapy Clubhouse. She leads each speech evaluation. Speech therapy in Van Nuys describes the sessions that may follow, and our speech evaluation page gives the big picture.
After the evaluation, what do I receive, and what if therapy is not recommended?
The evaluation leads to a written report within 14 business days. When therapy is recommended, a therapy plan comes with the report.
The report is in plain words and covers your child's strengths and a specific recommendation. Should the therapist not recommend therapy, the report states that plainly. You also hear from the therapist what to watch for.
The soonest a first session can start is day 5 after your call, before the written report is ready.
How do I ask the school district to assess my child?
Los Angeles Unified's parent guide says to ask for a special education assessment in writing. It says a parent, guardian, teacher, other school staff, or community member who believes a child may need special education can make the request.
The guide says every school office has a request form. Once a school receives a request, the guide says, the parent gets a written response within fifteen days. It adds that school vacations longer than five days do not count toward that time.
The guide also says a child can be assessed only after the parent consents by signing the assessment plan.
What do three elementary schools say about language?
Kittridge Street Elementary, a Los Angeles Unified school, says it has two dual immersion and bilingual programs. They give students a chance to become bilingual in English and Spanish or English and Armenian.
Kittridge's STEM Lab page says TK, kindergarten, first grade, and second grade classes visit to watch the lab animals. The page says this stimulates their use of academic and science vocabulary.
Erwin Elementary's programs page names Core Knowledge Language Arts. It says the program teaches skills in reading, writing, listening, and speaking. Cardenas Elementary's English Learners page lists this goal: access to programs for gifted and talented students or students with disabilities, regardless of language status.
Is a baby or toddler too young to be evaluated?
No. We evaluate children from birth to age 18.
In October 2026, Baby Time was listed at the Van Nuys Branch Library for babies ages 15 months and younger. The listing gave monthly sessions with an end date of Wednesday, December 30, 2026.
How do families pay for a speech evaluation?
Parents can use insurance for this clinical service through Village. The plan sets how much is covered.
Village bills your plan. You pay a copay or a deductible, as your plan sets it, plus Village's own per-visit fee. Parents who pay privately receive a superbill to send to their insurer for possible reimbursement.
Bring your plan details to the free 15-minute call. Checking your coverage there comes ahead of any commitment.
Still deciding whether to call?
Do I need a doctor's note to book?
No. You do not need a doctor's note or a diagnosis to book.
How soon will someone get back to me?
A licensed therapist reads each request. A reply follows within one business day.
Is the call before an evaluation free?
Yes. The call is free, and the evaluation is a separate, longer visit.
Looking at another town? Speech evaluation pages are also here for Sherman Oaks, Studio City, and Reseda. For questions about movement or senses, see the OT evaluation in Van Nuys, or start from the Van Nuys page.
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.
“Most children hear and listen from the moment they are born. They learn to talk by imitating the sounds around them and the voices of their parents and caregivers.”
MedlinePlus says this about hearing and learning to talk.
Noticing how your child talks and listens is a caring place to begin.
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.
A licensed therapist reads your message, and our team writes back within one business day. Share whatever you have noticed.
