Accepting new patients
Anthem · Blue Shield · Aetna · United · Cigna · Kaiser
RCEB vendorized
Scholarship support available
Clinical services · Happy Talkers
Speech therapy for young children
Communication is at the center of everything — learning, connection, independence. When a child struggles to talk, be understood, or use language to navigate their world, speech therapy builds the foundation that makes everything else possible. Our SLPs work with children from birth through age 10, coordinated with our broader clinical team when needed.
Speech therapy at a glance
Late talking & language delays
Articulation & intelligibility
Autism & social communication
AAC & alternative communication
Feeding & oral motor
Fluency & stuttering
🕐 Ages served: Birth – 10 years
✓ Anthem · Blue Shield · Aetna · United · Cigna · Kaiser
✓ RCEB vendorized (PB1225)
✓ Scholarship support available
✓ RCEB vendorized (PB1225)
✓ Scholarship support available
About this service
What speech therapy addresses
Speech-language therapy helps children develop the communication skills they need to connect with others, express their needs, and participate fully in learning and daily life. At Happy Talkers, our speech-language pathologists (SLPs) work across the full range of communication — from a child who isn't yet using words, to one who speaks but struggles to be understood, to one with autism who needs support with social communication.
Our SLPs hold their Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC-SLP) and bring expertise in early language development, autism, AAC, feeding, and school-age literacy. Many of our children receive speech therapy alongside OT or behavioral therapy — and when they do, our teams coordinate directly.
“Speech therapy at Happy Talkers doesn’t happen in isolation. When a child has both communication and behavioral or sensory needs, our SLPs and behavioral or OT teams coordinate goals from the start — one plan, not two parallel programs.”
What we treat
Late talking / no words by 18 months
Expressive language delays
Receptive language delays
Articulation & phonology
Social communication / pragmatics
Autism spectrum communication
AAC / alternative communication
Feeding & oral motor difficulties
Fluency & stuttering
Pre-literacy & school readiness
Who it’s for
Speech therapy across every early stage
We serve children from birth through age 10. The earlier communication support begins, the stronger the outcomes — but meaningful progress is possible at any age in this range.
Birth – 18 months
Early communication
Feeding difficulties, limited babbling, no pointing or gesturing by 12 months, or early signs of communication differences. Early Start coordination available through RCEB.
18 months – 3 years
Toddler language
Fewer than expected words, not combining words by 24 months, hard to understand, or limited social communication. Most impactful window for early intervention.
3 – 5 years
Preschool readiness
Articulation concerns, difficulty being understood by others, limited conversational skills, or social communication challenges in group settings.
6 – 10 years
School-age communication
Persistent articulation errors, reading and literacy support, fluency concerns, or ongoing social communication needs impacting school and peer relationships.
What to expect
How sessions work
Speech therapy at Happy Talkers is play-based, child-centered, and grounded in your child’s real communication challenges. Here’s what the process looks like.
1
Communication evaluation
Your SLP begins with a comprehensive assessment of your child’s expressive and receptive language, articulation, social communication, and any feeding or fluency concerns. Standardized assessments and naturalistic observation are combined with your observations as the parent who knows your child best.
2
Goal-based treatment plan
Your SLP develops a plan with specific, measurable goals tied to your child’s daily communication needs — not abstract milestones. If your child is also receiving OT or ABA at Happy Talkers, goals are coordinated across teams from day one.
3
Play-based therapy sessions
Sessions are typically 45–60 minutes. Your SLP uses play, books, games, and structured activities to target communication goals in an engaging, naturalistic environment. Children don't feel like they’re in therapy — they feel like they’re playing.
4
Parent coaching & home strategies
Your SLP will teach you how to support your child’s communication throughout the day — during meals, play, routines, and transitions. The strategies you use at home between sessions are where the biggest gains happen.
5
Progress review & adjustment
We reassess regularly and update goals as your child grows. If your child receives multiple services at Happy Talkers, your SLP participates in interdisciplinary case conferences to keep the whole team aligned.
✓
No diagnosis required
You don’t need an autism diagnosis or a school referral to start speech therapy. If you have concerns about your child’s communication at any age, contact us — we’ll help figure out the right next step.
Speech therapy is one part of an integrated system.
Children with communication challenges often have overlapping behavioral, sensory, or developmental needs. At Happy Talkers, our SLPs work alongside behavioral therapists, occupational therapists, and infant development specialists — coordinated, not siloed.
Speech therapy
Occupational therapy
Behavioral therapy (ABA)
Infant development
Diagnostics (ADOS)
Parent questions
Frequently asked questions
Questions we hear often from families getting started with speech therapy.
General milestones: by 12 months, your child should be babbling and using gestures; by 18 months, using at least 10 words; by 24 months, combining two words. If your child isn’t meeting these, or if you’re having trouble understanding them, or if your pediatrician has raised concerns, reach out. You don’t need to wait and see — earlier is always better with speech therapy.
Yes — we accept Anthem Blue Cross, Blue Shield of California, Aetna, United Healthcare, Cigna, and Kaiser Permanente. We are also vendorized through RCEB (PB1225) and offer scholarship support for families who need it. Our team verifies your coverage before the first appointment. Visit our Insurance & Access page for full details.
Yes — and children with autism are some of the children who benefit most from our integrated model. Our SLPs are experienced in autism spectrum communication, AAC, and social pragmatics. When a child with autism receives both speech therapy and ABA at Happy Talkers, their SLP and BCBA coordinate directly — sharing goals and aligning treatment so progress compounds across both programs.
AAC stands for Augmentative and Alternative Communication — any method that supplements or replaces spoken speech. This includes picture boards, speech-generating devices, and apps like Proloquo2Go. AAC does not replace speech development — research shows it supports it. If your child has limited verbal output, our SLPs can evaluate whether AAC would help and support implementation at home and school.
Yes — and coordination between SLP and OT is one of the most valuable things Happy Talkers offers. Many children have both communication and sensory or motor needs, and our teams work together. Your child’s SLP and OT share goals, communicate regularly, and participate in interdisciplinary case reviews. You don’t have to manage two separate providers who never talk to each other.
Frequency depends on your child’s needs and insurance authorization — typically one to two times per week for most children. Your SLP will give you a recommendation at the evaluation and revisit it as your child progresses. Some children reach their goals in a few months; others benefit from longer support.
For families
Ready to get started?
Tell us about your child and we'll help find the right services, verify your insurance, and connect you with our intake team — before your first appointment. No diagnosis needed.
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For providers
Referring a patient?
Submit a referral online, fax to (925) 236-9712, or call (925) 829-9555. We handle insurance verification and contact the family within 1 business day.
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