Bilingual expertise
Evaluations in English, Haitian Creole, and Spanish, with rigorous differentiation between language difference and language disorder.
Early Intervention Evaluations
Early speech evaluations, delivered where your baby feels safest.
Bilingual, in-home speech and language evaluations for babies and toddlers birth to 3. Culturally responsive, evidence-based, and always centered on your family, across NYC and Long Island.
- In-home & community-based evaluations
- Bilingual: English, Haitian Creole, Spanish
- Written report within 7 to 10 business days
- Free 15-minute consultation before you commit
ASHA-Certified • Bilingual • Neurodiversity-Affirming • Mobile & Teletherapy
“She gave my son a voice.”
Overview
What this service is, and who it's for
An Early Intervention evaluation is often a parent's first step into the world of speech therapy. It can feel intimidating, the paperwork, the acronyms (EI, IFSP, CPSE), the worry about what a report might say. Our job is to make that step feel simple and human.
We look at how your child understands language, how they use it (words, gestures, signs, sounds, or AAC), how they play, and how they connect socially. We interview you as the expert on your child. We honor the languages and culture of your home. And we send you a written report you can actually read.
Whether your child qualifies for state Early Intervention services, benefits from private therapy, or simply needs a monitored plan and some parent coaching, you'll leave the process with clarity, not confusion.
Signs to Watch For
Your child may benefit if…
Every child develops on their own timeline. These are common signs families and teachers bring to us, none of them are a diagnosis, and none of them are your fault.
- By 12 months: no babbling, gestures, or first words
- By 18 months: fewer than 10 spoken words
- By 24 months: no two-word phrases (e.g. “more milk”)
- By 30 months: strangers cannot understand most of what your child says
- Loss of previously used words or skills at any age
- Difficulty following simple directions
- Little eye contact, joint attention, or back-and-forth play
- Frustration or meltdowns tied to not being understood
- Feeding difficulties or unusual mouth movements
- A pediatrician, daycare provider, or family member has raised a concern
What to Expect
A simple, family-first process
- 1
Free consult
A 15-minute call to hear your concerns, explain options, and decide together if an evaluation is the right next step.
- 2
In-home evaluation
60 to 90 minutes of guided play, parent interview, and structured tasks, in the setting your child feels safest.
- 3
Written report
A clear, jargon-light report within 7 to 10 business days with strengths, needs, scores, and recommendations.
- 4
Plan review
We walk you through the results and next steps, whether that's EI services, private therapy, or coaching.
Why Hand in Hand
Care that meets your family where you are
We come to you
Real behavior in real settings. No waiting-room scores that don't match how your child actually communicates.
Neurodiversity-affirming
We measure connection, not compliance. Autistic and neurodivergent children are respected as communicators from day one.
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything parents ask us
What is an Early Intervention speech evaluation?+
An Early Intervention (EI) speech and language evaluation is a comprehensive assessment for children birth to age 3 who may be showing delays in how they understand or use language. It looks at receptive language (what your child understands), expressive language (how they communicate), play skills, feeding and oral-motor development when relevant, and social communication. The goal is not to label a child, it's to understand exactly how they communicate today and what support will help them grow.
At what age should I be concerned about speech or language delay?+
There is no single 'concerning' age, but common milestones parents watch for include: babbling and turn-taking by 9 months, first words around 12 months, 25+ words by 18 months, two-word combinations by 24 months, and short sentences by age 3. If any of these are missing, or if your child once had words and lost them, a free consultation is always appropriate. Waiting rarely helps; early support usually does.
How do I get an Early Intervention evaluation in NYC or Long Island?+
In New York, families can self-refer to the Early Intervention Program by calling 311 in NYC or your county's Department of Health on Long Island (Nassau or Suffolk). Once referred, an initial service coordinator will schedule a multidisciplinary evaluation, which can include a speech-language evaluation. Hand in Hand also provides private evaluations if you'd prefer to move quickly or want a bilingual evaluator.
Does Early Intervention cost money?+
The New York State Early Intervention Program is offered at no out-of-pocket cost to eligible families. Your insurance may be billed, but you will not receive a bill. Private evaluations outside the EI program are typically self-pay, and we're happy to explain options and provide superbills for possible reimbursement.
What happens during the evaluation?+
We come to your home (or another comfortable setting) with age-appropriate toys and materials. We spend time playing with your child, observing communication naturally, and gently prompting specific skills. We interview you about routines, cultural and linguistic context, and any concerns. The whole visit usually takes 60 to 90 minutes and is designed to feel like play, not a test.
How long does it take to receive the report?+
You'll receive a written evaluation report within 7 to 10 business days. The report includes your child's strengths, areas of need, standardized scores when appropriate, clinical observations, and specific recommendations. We walk through every page with you, no jargon, no surprises.
My child understands two languages at home. Should I be worried they're behind?+
No, bilingualism does not cause language delay. However, evaluating a bilingual child requires a bilingual or culturally responsive evaluator who can assess both languages and distinguish a language difference from a language disorder. This is a core part of our practice, including Haitian Creole and Spanish evaluations.
What is a 'language difference' versus a 'language disorder'?+
A language difference means a child's communication reflects the patterns and rules of their home language(s) or dialect, this is not a disorder. A language disorder means a child has difficulty acquiring language across all languages they are exposed to. Only a bilingual or culturally responsive evaluator can reliably tell the two apart, which prevents mislabeling and mis-placement.
Will my child qualify for services?+
In New York, a child qualifies for Early Intervention services with a 33% delay in one area or a 25% delay in two, or with a diagnosed condition with high probability of delay. Some children do not qualify and simply need monitoring plus parent coaching. Either result is a win, you'll leave with a clear plan.
What if my child cries or won't participate?+
That's completely normal, and it's actually useful clinical information. We build in time to warm up, follow your child's lead, and use parent report to fill in what we can't observe directly. No evaluation is ever considered 'ruined' by a fussy day.
Do you evaluate late talkers?+
Yes. 'Late talker' generally refers to a toddler 18 to 30 months with typical understanding but very few spoken words. We evaluate late talkers to determine whether the profile is expressive-only or part of a broader delay, and we provide immediate parent-coaching strategies you can use that day.
Can you evaluate my child if they're not talking at all?+
Absolutely. Many children we evaluate are pre-verbal. We assess pre-linguistic skills such as joint attention, imitation, play, gesture use, and comprehension, all of which predict later language and guide therapy targets, including AAC when appropriate.
Do you evaluate feeding and oral-motor concerns?+
We screen for oral-motor and feeding concerns during EI evaluations and refer to feeding specialists when a comprehensive feeding evaluation is warranted. If oral-motor differences are impacting speech sound development, we build that into recommendations.
What areas do you serve?+
We provide mobile evaluations across NYC (Queens, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Bronx) and Long Island (Nassau and Suffolk counties). Teletherapy evaluations are available for follow-up and some initial screenings when appropriate.
How is the evaluation different from a screening?+
A screening is a brief 10 to 15 minute check that flags whether a full evaluation is needed. An evaluation is a comprehensive 60 to 90 minute assessment that leads to eligibility decisions, diagnostic impressions, and a treatment plan. If a screening raises concerns, an evaluation is the next step.
Will you diagnose autism?+
Speech-language pathologists do not diagnose autism, but we screen for social-communication differences that may warrant a diagnostic evaluation from a developmental pediatrician or psychologist. We can refer you to trusted evaluators and explain what we're seeing without labels.
What should I do to prepare for the evaluation?+
Almost nothing. Have a few of your child's favorite toys and snacks nearby, choose a time your child is usually alert (not right before nap), and think about a few specific examples of what worries you. That's it, we bring everything else.
Who will conduct the evaluation?+
Evaluations are conducted by Magdala, a New York state-licensed and ASHA-certified speech-language pathologist with extensive experience in pediatric and bilingual assessment. You'll always know exactly who is coming to your home.
What happens after we receive the report?+
We schedule a follow-up call to review the results, answer questions, and, if therapy is recommended, help you understand your options (Early Intervention services, private therapy, or parent coaching). You never leave this process alone.
How quickly can I get an evaluation scheduled?+
Private evaluations are typically scheduled within 1 to 2 weeks. Early Intervention evaluations through the state system have their own timeline (usually 45 days from referral to service start). Start with a free 15-minute call and we'll help you pick the fastest path.
Parent Resources
Free tools we'll send when you book
- Birth-to-3 speech & language milestone tracker (PDF)
- “Signs of a late talker” one-page checklist
- Bilingual home-language questionnaire
- Questions to ask before an EI meeting
Let's take the first step, hand in hand.
Book a complimentary 15-minute call with a licensed speech-language pathologist. No pressure, no paperwork, just answers.
