That’s a very reasonable question—and for your 2-year-old, use Early Steps first, not Child Find.

At age 2, children develop language at very different rates, but a speech concern is worth acting on now rather than waiting. Early Steps serves children birth to 36 months and can evaluate developmental and speech/language concerns; parents can self-refer. Start through Florida Early Steps.

This week:

1. Ask your pediatrician for a hearing check and a speech-language evaluation referral—hearing issues can look like speech delay.
2. Self-refer to Early Steps; you do not need to wait for a diagnosis.
3. Use short, repeatable phrases during routines (“more milk,” “shoes on”) and pause expectantly so he has a turn to gesture, sound, or try a word.

Child Find becomes the right public-school route at 34 months through age 5 if he is not enrolled in public school. It offers free developmental and speech/language screening, no insurance or physician referral required: FDLRS Emerald Coast Child Find. The local Child Find line listed for Pensacola is 850-469-5423.

What flips this: if he is already 34 months or older, call Child Find now instead of—or alongside—Early Steps.

👉 About how many words does he use consistently right now, and does he understand simple requests like “bring me your shoes”?