Free speech therapy for toddler?

Question

I am concerned about my son's lack of speech (he is 2 years old) and my insurance declined a referral to a speech therapist (they will only cover it if it was caused by trauma to the head). I don't want everyone's opinion on whether or not they think my son should see a speech therapist at 2 years old - I am just wondering if anyone knows of free speech therapy evaluations or services in the Southern California area (South Bay / LA)? Thank you!!!

Answer 1

Hi, I am an SLP grad student in Illinois. Your son should be able to get the services for free through your state's Early Intervention Program. Early Intervention is for children ages 0-3 years of age. If your son qualifies for speech, he is entitled to get these services for free as part of a 504 Plan which is tied to the "Individuals with Disabilities Education Act." Since I am from Illinois, I am not familiar with what the Early Intervention agency is called in California. However, I can tell you that the name of the one in Illinois is called "Child and Family Connections." They might be able to provide you with the name and contact info for the agency in California. Here is their number: 1-888-594-8364

Also, the American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA), which is the national organization for SLPs in the US, may be able to tell you this information. Here is their phone number: [phone]

They also have a link on their website for finding a professional in your area. You can even narrow it down by what age group you want an SLP for. Here is the link for that:
http://asha.org/proserv/

According to a press release by the U.S. Department of Education, "Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) requires states to provide early intervention services to children with disabilities from birth through age 2 [though some states provide services for longer]. Early intervention can include speech and hearing services, family training and counseling, home visits, diagnostic medical services, occupational or physical therapy, social and psychological services and service coordination. More than 268,000 children receive early intervention services."
(quoted from: http://www.ed.gov/news/pressreleases/2003/09/09102003.html )

Answer 2

You may want to call on your local Early Childhood Intervention program. These programs provide services birth to 3 years old and most of these programs do not need a referrral to come out to your home and do a screening for speech therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy etc.

Most of the services are free but they can also go on a pay scale range according to your income.

Go to a search engine and type in Early Childhood Intervention in your zip code/area and referral listing should come up. Hope this helped.

Answer 3

Call the school where your child will attend kindergarten and ask them if they provide therapy for that age. My son started speech therapy at age 3 1/2 (not talking at all) and it was free through our public school system. We live in Michigan by the way, but check into California's schools anyway. Couldn't hurt, right?

My son is six now and his speech has completely caught up with his classmates. Good luck!!

Answer 4

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
Free speech therapy for toddler?
I am concerned about my son's lack of speech (he is 2 years old) and my insurance declined a referral to a speech therapist (they will only cover it if it was caused by trauma to the head). I don't want everyone's opinion on whether or not they think my son should see a speech...

Answer 5

The school is your best shot. Even if they don't have a therapist there, they might know of someone who does do speech therapy for a low cost or for free.

Answer 6

I live in Mi, but here you can get a free evaluation through the school system. They came out to my house and did the evaluation for my son who is also 2. If they qualify for therapy the therapy is also free and they come to my house for that as well. I would look into that...try calling once the school year begins again.

Good luck!!

EDIT: Ok...I'm not sure who gave me a thumbs down for my answer and people got a thumbs up for their answers about the "Early On" program. The "Early On" program IS the program through the school system.

Answer 7

I live in Los Angeles County and the county offers speech therapy for free as long as the child is under 18. You just fill out some forms. Your pediatrician should have all the paperwork in her office.

Or go to their website:

http://dcfs.co.la.ca.us/index.html

Answer 8

My son was in a program called "Early On". I'm almost certain it is free to anyone (no matter what your income is). Check with your local Health Department or Department of Human Services. They will point you in the right direction. I live in Michigan, but I'm sure there are programs like this in California.

Answer 9

If your son's doctor thinks he needs to have speech therapy, they should pay for it. Talk to his doctor. My son was a preemie and he had to go to occupational therapy and insurance covered all of that.

Answer 10

1