Service Model
Mai Speech Therapy offers highly-skilled speech and language services in our clients' familiar environment, including home, school or daycare. We provide exceptional services to busy families who want the best interventions for their child with the convenience of in-home evaluations and treatment. Our therapists meet the unique needs of each child using research-based interventions with a warmhearted, responsive approach. We are proudly servicing in Broward County and Miami Dade.
Philosophy
We believe fun is fundamental. When something is enjoyable, we gravitate to doing it more often, again and again, better and better. That is why we believe in building a relationship with our patients, learning what sparks their interest and using that to reach their goals. Play based, patient lead therapy is our MO. We strive for our patients to feel eager for therapy and miss it when it’s over, enough to do it on their own, all while gaining confidence and building communication skills that last.
Founder
Hi, I'm Mai Shahar. I was born and raised in Israel and have made a home out of Miami and New York. I am a licensed Speech and Language Pathologist, and hold certificates in teaching. I earned my Bachelors in Communication sciences and Disorders at the University of Central Florida and my Masters in Speech Pathology and Audiology at Florida Atlantic University.
I've always been a lover of people and nature. I knew that one day I'd end up helping animals or people as my career because that's all I've ever wanted to do. I'm grateful to say that my reality today is helping children and their families, ultimately changing their lives for good.
In college I worked at the Center for Autism and Related Disabilities (CARD). My duties included teaching non verbal communication techniques to kids and their families, and coaching family members to help them bring their child or siblings to their highest level of language development through activities of daily living. I also worked at UCF Providing Autism Links and Support (PALS) where I facilitated friendships between teens on the spectrum through weekly social events and discussions. Working in these amazing organizations throughout college expanded my mind to understand the importance of communication and the detriments without it.
While earning my Master's degree I had a wide range of opportunities to test the waters in various settings. I worked with toddlers, special needs populations, and geriatric patients in daycares, rehab facilities, and clinics. The diverse population I served only sparked my interest further. I went on to work with children during the school year and geriatric rehabs during the summers. I enjoy the academic based longitudinal work over 9 months and then thrive on a fast paced medical model of care.
Working in the school system I've met many wonderful, dedicated clinicians working to support children. But caseloads are high, paperwork is siphoning time away from intervention, and qualifying for services can be a difficult and lengthy process. Therapy sessions in the schools are frequently limited to 30 minutes and split between students who may have vastly different goals, resulting in even less time specifically devoted to individual students' needs. The reality is, children receiving private therapy services have direct access to individualized, specifically-designed intervention supports that are all but impossible to replicate in the school-based therapy model.
In the spring of 2020, inspired by the desire to work more closely with families and provide truly individualized services, alongside a pandemic that left hundreds of thousands of students at home and parents at a loss, I've launched Mai Speech Therapy. A private therapy practice offering exceptional speech and language services in the comfort of your home. Combining years of experience with customized private services enables me to provide child-centered, family-connected speech and language services of the highest quality.
I want you to breathe easier knowing that when you choose to work with Mai Speech Therapy, you are investing your time, resources, and hopes in a relationship with a therapist who will listen to your concerns and wholeheartedly support the development of your child's communication skills.
Please don't hesitate to reach out and contact me today! I'd love the opportunity to talk with you personally to answer any questions you may have about communication and how I may be able to play a part in supporting your child's growth!
