Question 1

How do I know if my child needs speech therapy?

Accepted Answer

Common signs include: not babbling by 12 months, no words by 18 months, fewer than 50 words by age 2, difficulty being understood by strangers after age 3, or struggling to follow simple directions. If you have any concerns, our free phone consultation can help you decide if an evaluation is needed.

Question 2

What is the first step to getting started?

Accepted Answer

The first step is scheduling a free 15-minute phone consultation. During this call, we'll discuss your concerns, answer your questions, and determine whether a comprehensive evaluation is recommended. No commitment required.

Question 3

Do you offer a free consultation?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We offer a complimentary 15-minute phone consultation where we discuss your child's communication needs, answer your questions, and recommend next steps. There's no obligation to proceed with services.

Question 4

How long is the wait to get started?

Accepted Answer

As a private practice, we typically can schedule an initial evaluation within 1-2 weeks of your first call. There's no insurance pre-authorization wait. If therapy is recommended, sessions can begin within days of the evaluation.

Question 5

What should I bring to my child's first session?

Accepted Answer

For the initial evaluation, bring any previous speech evaluations, medical records, IEP documents, or school reports. Also bring a favorite toy or snack — a comfortable child gives us the best picture of their abilities.

Question 6

How do I prepare my child for their first session?

Accepted Answer

Tell your child they'll be playing games with a new friend. There's no need to mention 'testing' or 'therapy' — our sessions are designed to feel like play. Bring a comfort item if your child tends to be shy in new situations.

Question 7

Do you provide services at schools or daycares?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We can conduct therapy sessions at your child's school or daycare during the school day, with the school's permission. Many families find this convenient, especially for preschool-age children.

Question 8

What areas do you serve?

Accepted Answer

We serve all of South Florida, including Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties. Our primary service model is in-home therapy, and we also offer teletherapy for families anywhere in the state of Florida.

Question 9

How do I schedule an appointment?

Accepted Answer

You can schedule a free consultation through our online booking system on the Contact page, call us at (954) 300-2242, or email mai@maispeechtherapy.com. We'll respond within 24 hours.

Question 10

What ages do you work with?

Accepted Answer

We work with children from 12 months through 18 years, depending on the service. Early intervention services start as young as 12 months, while myofunctional therapy and social communication support can extend through the teen years.

Question 11

What is the difference between a speech therapist and a speech pathologist?

Accepted Answer

They're the same profession. 'Speech-language pathologist' (SLP) is the official title, while 'speech therapist' is the commonly used term. Mai holds a Master's degree and the Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC-SLP) from ASHA — the gold standard credential in the field.

Question 12

What is play-based therapy?

Accepted Answer

Play-based therapy uses games, toys, books, and activities that your child enjoys as the vehicle for learning speech and language skills. Research shows children learn best when engaged and motivated — not through drill-based exercises. Every session is fun for your child while being strategically designed by your therapist.

Question 13

How long does speech therapy take to work?

Accepted Answer

Most families see noticeable progress within 4-8 weeks of consistent therapy. Significant improvement is typically achieved within 3-6 months. The timeline depends on the type and severity of the communication challenge, your child's age, and how consistently home practice is done between sessions.

Question 14

What age can children start speech therapy?

Accepted Answer

Children can begin speech therapy as early as 12 months old. For younger toddlers, therapy focuses heavily on parent coaching — teaching you strategies to stimulate your child's communication development in everyday routines.

Question 15

What is early intervention and why is it important?

Accepted Answer

Early intervention refers to therapy services for children under age 3. The brain develops most rapidly during these early years, making it the ideal time to address communication concerns. Research consistently shows that children who receive early intervention have better long-term outcomes than those who wait.

Question 16

Can speech therapy help with reading difficulties?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Speech-language pathologists are trained to address the language skills that underlie reading, including phonological awareness, vocabulary, and comprehension. If your child's reading difficulties are related to underlying language challenges, speech therapy can help.

Question 17

What's the difference between speech therapy and occupational therapy?

Accepted Answer

Speech therapy focuses on communication (speech sounds, language, social communication) and oral motor function. Occupational therapy focuses on fine motor skills, sensory processing, and daily living activities. Many children benefit from both services working together.

Question 18

Is speech therapy evidence-based?

Accepted Answer

Yes. All of our therapy approaches are grounded in current research from peer-reviewed journals and align with ASHA's evidence-based practice guidelines. We continuously update our methods based on the latest clinical research.

Question 19

Will my child always need speech therapy?

Accepted Answer

No. The goal of speech therapy is to give your child the skills to communicate independently. Most children graduate from therapy once they meet their goals. We also teach families how to support ongoing communication development at home.

Question 20

Can adults receive speech therapy?

Accepted Answer

Our practice specializes in pediatric speech therapy (children and adolescents). If you're seeking adult speech therapy services, we can provide referrals to colleagues who specialize in adult communication disorders.

Question 21

What types of communication problems do you treat?

Accepted Answer

We treat speech sound disorders (articulation), language delays and disorders (receptive and expressive), stuttering and fluency disorders, social communication difficulties (including autism-related), tongue thrust and myofunctional disorders, and provide comprehensive evaluations.

Question 22

Do you work with children who have autism?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We provide specialized social communication therapy for children on the autism spectrum. Our approach focuses on functional communication, social interaction skills, and pragmatic language — helping your child connect with others in meaningful ways.

Question 23

What is a speech-language evaluation?

Accepted Answer

A comprehensive assessment that includes standardized testing, play-based observation, and parent interview. It gives a complete picture of your child's speech and language abilities, identifies any areas of concern, and provides specific recommendations. The evaluation takes 60-90 minutes.

Question 24

Do you offer teletherapy (online speech therapy)?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Our HIPAA-compliant teletherapy sessions are available for families anywhere in Florida. Research shows teletherapy is equally effective as in-person sessions for most speech and language goals. All you need is a device with a camera and stable internet.

Question 25

What is tongue thrust therapy?

Accepted Answer

Tongue thrust is when the tongue pushes forward against or between the teeth during swallowing, speaking, or at rest. Myofunctional therapy retrains the tongue and facial muscles to function correctly, often in coordination with orthodontic treatment.

Question 26

How do you handle children who don't cooperate during sessions?

Accepted Answer

It's normal, especially initially. Our therapists are skilled at building rapport and following your child's lead. We design every session around your child's interests and strengths. When children feel safe and engaged, cooperation comes naturally.

Question 27

Do you provide parent training?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely. Parent involvement is central to our approach. We teach you specific strategies to support your child's communication growth in everyday situations — meals, play time, bath time, car rides. Consistent practice between sessions significantly accelerates progress.

Question 28

What is the difference between in-home therapy and clinic-based therapy?

Accepted Answer

In-home therapy takes place in your child's natural environment — where they're most comfortable and natural. This leads to more authentic communication behavior, easier generalization of skills, and no commute for busy families. Research supports natural environment intervention for pediatric therapy.

Question 29

Can you work on feeding issues?

Accepted Answer

Tongue thrust and oral motor issues that affect feeding are within our scope. For more complex feeding disorders (e.g., tube feeding weaning, severe food aversion), we can provide referrals to specialists in pediatric feeding therapy.

Question 30

Do you provide written reports?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Every evaluation includes a comprehensive written report with test results, clinical observations, and specific recommendations. Progress reports are provided quarterly for ongoing therapy clients. These documents can be shared with schools, pediatricians, or other providers.

Question 31

How often should my child attend speech therapy?

Accepted Answer

Most children benefit from 1-2 sessions per week. The optimal frequency depends on your child's needs, goals, and the type of therapy. We'll recommend a frequency during the evaluation and adjust as your child progresses.

Question 32

How long is each therapy session?

Accepted Answer

Sessions are typically 45-60 minutes for in-person therapy and 30-45 minutes for teletherapy. Session length is adjusted based on your child's age and attention span.

Question 33

What if we need to cancel or reschedule a session?

Accepted Answer

We ask for 24 hours' notice for cancellations or reschedules. We understand that children get sick and emergencies happen — we'll always work with you to find a make-up time.

Question 34

Can I be present during my child's therapy sessions?

Accepted Answer

Yes, and we encourage it. Parents are our partners in therapy. Observing sessions helps you understand the strategies being used and practice them between sessions. For older children who prefer privacy, we'll discuss what works best.

Question 35

What happens between therapy sessions?

Accepted Answer

After each session, we provide home practice activities tailored to your child's current goals. These activities are designed to fit naturally into your daily routine — no special materials needed. Consistent home practice is the #1 factor in faster progress.

Question 36

Do you offer summer therapy sessions?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We offer therapy year-round, including summer. In fact, summer is an excellent time to make progress since children aren't juggling school demands. Many families increase session frequency during summer breaks.

Question 37

Can therapy be done at my child's school?

Accepted Answer

Yes, with the school's permission. School-based sessions can be especially effective because they allow us to work on communication skills in a natural academic and social environment.

Question 38

What time slots are available?

Accepted Answer

We offer sessions Monday through Friday, typically between 8 AM and 6 PM. Early morning and late afternoon slots are available for school-age children. Teletherapy offers the most scheduling flexibility.

Question 39

How much does speech therapy cost?

Accepted Answer

Session rates depend on the type and duration of service. We're happy to discuss specific rates during your free phone consultation. As a private-pay practice, you receive direct access to your therapist with no insurance delays.

Question 40

Do you accept insurance?

Accepted Answer

We are a private-pay practice, which means we do not bill insurance directly. However, we provide detailed invoices (superbills) that you can submit to your insurance company for potential out-of-network reimbursement. Many families successfully receive partial reimbursement.

Question 41

What is private pay speech therapy?

Accepted Answer

Private pay means you pay for services directly rather than through insurance. Benefits include: no pre-authorization delays, no session limits imposed by insurers, therapist of your choice (not assigned by a network), and you can start immediately. Many families find the quality and convenience worth the investment.

Question 42

Can I use my HSA or FSA for speech therapy?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Speech therapy is a qualified medical expense for Health Savings Accounts (HSA) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA). We provide all necessary documentation for your account administrator.

Question 43

What forms of payment do you accept?

Accepted Answer

We accept all major credit cards, debit cards, HSA/FSA cards, Zelle, and checks. Payment is due at the time of service.

Question 44

Do you offer any discounts?

Accepted Answer

We offer a small discount for families who pre-purchase a package of sessions. We also provide sliding scale options on a case-by-case basis for families with demonstrated financial need. Ask us during your consultation.

Question 45

What does the evaluation cost?

Accepted Answer

The comprehensive evaluation fee includes the assessment session, scoring, written report, and a follow-up consultation to discuss results. Contact us for current evaluation rates. This is often the most valuable investment, as it provides a clear roadmap for your child's communication development.

Question 46

What makes Mai Speech Therapy different from other practices?

Accepted Answer

Three things: we come to you (in-home therapy), every session is individualized (no group therapy or cookie-cutter programs), and we're multilingual (English, Hebrew, Spanish). Mai is an ASHA-certified SLP with a genuine passion for helping families — not a large corporate practice.

Question 47

What are Mai's qualifications?

Accepted Answer

Mai Shahar holds a B.S. in Communication Sciences & Disorders from UCF and an M.S. in Speech Pathology & Audiology from FAU. She holds the Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC-SLP) from ASHA, is licensed in the state of Florida, and is LSVT LOUD certified.

Question 48

What languages do you offer therapy in?

Accepted Answer

Therapy and evaluations are available in English, Hebrew, and Spanish. For bilingual families, we assess both languages to get a complete picture and provide therapy in the language(s) that best support your child's development.

Question 49

How long has Mai Speech Therapy been in practice?

Accepted Answer

Mai Speech Therapy LLC was founded in 2020 and has been serving South Florida families for over 5 years. In that time, we've helped dozens of families across Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties.

Question 50

Do you collaborate with other professionals?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We regularly collaborate with pediatricians, psychologists, occupational therapists, ABA therapists, orthodontists, and school teams. With your consent, we communicate with your child's other providers to ensure coordinated, comprehensive care.

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