At SAAI Developmental Play Lab, we specialize in potty training and behavioral support for children — using fun, compassionate, and proven methods tailored to every child's unique journey.
What We Specialize In
We guide children and families through every step of potty training with patience, encouragement, and techniques that actually stick — making it a positive milestone, not a stressful one.
Our specialists work one-on-one with children experiencing behavioral challenges, building coping strategies, communication skills, and confidence in a safe, playful environment.
We partner with parents and caregivers to provide the tools and understanding needed to reinforce progress at home — because growth is a team effort.
Our Space & Moments
What We Offer
What does SAAI stand for?
SAAI (Social Adaptive Academic Integration) is built on the belief that children learn best when social, adaptive, and academic skills are integrated into everyday play and experiences.
Our Approach
At SAAI Developmental Play Lab, we believe every child deserves a safe, joyful space to grow. We blend proven developmental strategies — with a side of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu — to help children thrive mind, body, and spirit.
We take the stress out of potty training by working at your child's pace. Our specialists use positive reinforcement, consistent routines, and play-based methods to make the transition feel natural and empowering — not scary. We also coach parents so progress continues at home.
We work with children experiencing behavioral challenges — from emotional regulation to social difficulties. Using a strengths-based approach, our team builds coping strategies, communication skills, and self-confidence inside a structured, playful environment where kids feel safe to grow.
Growth doesn't stop when the session ends. We equip parents and caregivers with the language, tools, and confidence to reinforce progress at home. Because when the whole family is aligned, children thrive faster and the wins last longer.
You might be surprised — but Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is one of the most powerful tools for child development. It's not about fighting. It's about discipline, respect, problem-solving, and resilience.
On the mat, children learn to regulate their bodies, follow instructions, take turns, handle frustration, and celebrate small wins. These are the exact same skills we build in our behavioral and developmental sessions — BJJ just makes it fun.
Why Families Trust Us
We're proud to serve our Maui community with the warmth and aloha spirit families deserve.
Every plan is tailored to your child's personality, pace, and needs — no one-size-fits-all.
Our trained professionals bring compassion and expertise to every session.
We believe kids learn best when they're happy — our methods are joyful by design.
We uniquely blend Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu into development — building confidence, focus and resilience through movement.
We track every goal and share progress with families so you always know how your child is growing.
Join Our Story
Your name could be here!
Be one of our first families and share your experience. We can not wait to meet you.
Book NowOpening June 15, 2026!
We are just getting started — and we would love for your family to be part of our story from day one.
Join WaitlistWorked with Sariah before?
We would love to hear about your experience. Give us a call and share your story!
📞 Call UsFor Families
Knowledge is power. Here are some helpful resources to support your child's journey at home and beyond.
Start when your child shows readiness signs. Stay consistent, use positive praise, and never punish accidents. Every child moves at their own pace — and that is okay.
All behavior is communication. When a child acts out, they are often trying to tell us something. Learning to identify the "why" behind behavior is the first step to supporting change.
Talk to your child often, narrate daily activities, and celebrate every attempt to communicate — whether verbal or nonverbal. AAC devices and PECS are powerful tools for children still developing speech.
Read daily, practice following simple instructions, and build routines. Children who have predictable schedules at home tend to transition more easily into school settings.
Create calm spaces at home, minimize overwhelming stimuli, and offer sensory breaks. Movement, music, and tactile play can be incredibly regulating for children who are sensory-sensitive.
Physical movement is one of the best tools for regulation. Activities like jumping, rolling, and structured martial arts movements help children process emotions and build body awareness.
Have a question not covered here? Book a free consultation — we are happy to help. 🌺
From Sariah
More posts coming soon! Follow us on social media for weekly tips. 🌺
Gear Up
Rep the lab! All items are available to order — contact us by phone or Instagram to place your order. We restock as orders come in so you never miss out.
We Work With
We collaborate with pediatricians, schools, therapists, and community organizations to ensure every child gets the full circle of support they deserve.
We welcome referrals from pediatric offices supporting developmental concerns.
We support IEP goals and collaborate with educators to reinforce classroom skills.
We coordinate with speech, OT, and other therapy providers for a whole-child approach.
Including our partner Bocha and local Maui organizations serving families.
Last updated: May 2026
SAAI Developmental Play Lab ("we", "us", or "our") is committed to protecting your privacy. This policy explains how we handle the information you share with us through this website.
Information We Collect
When you fill out our booking or waitlist forms, we collect your name, phone number, email address, and information about your child's needs. This information is used solely to contact you about our services.
How We Use Your Information
We use your information to respond to inquiries, schedule appointments, and communicate program updates. We do not sell, trade, or share your personal information with third parties.
Data Security
We take reasonable steps to protect your information. However, no method of transmission over the internet is 100% secure.
Contact Us
If you have any questions about this privacy policy, please contact us at (808) 303-5748.
The Heart Behind SAAI
Founder & Lead Specialist
Hi, I'm Sariah 👋
I'm the founder of SAAI Developmental Play Lab. I have over 10 years of experience working with children, beginning at a young age through my aunt's learning academy, where I supported kids in structured and one-on-one settings.
For the past 5+ years, I've worked as a Registered Behavior Technician, supporting children across a range of ages and developmental needs. I am currently pursuing my degree in Psychology at University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, with a focus on cognitive and neurological sciences.
My work focuses on helping children build communication, independence, and confidence in ways that feel natural and meaningful. SAAI was created to bridge the gap between structured therapy and real-life play — a space where children can explore, move, and grow while still working toward important developmental goals.
At SAAI, we blend social, adaptive, and academic skills into play-based experiences, with a strong focus on helping children feel safe, engaged, and understood.
🥋 The BJJ Connection
A unique part of our program is movement-based learning, including age-appropriate Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. We partner with a local coach at Checkmat Kihei to ensure instruction is safe, structured, and supportive. I personally train and compete in BJJ — which allows me to better understand how to break down skills and support each child's progress in a positive way.
🤝 Proudly Supported by Bocha
SAAI is proudly supported by Bocha, a partner organization that shares our commitment to creating meaningful, development-focused experiences for children. Families can expect a space that is intentional, supportive, and focused on helping their child grow in ways that carry into everyday life.
Now Enrolling
June 15 – August 1, 2026 · Private Pay Only
⚠️ ABA Insurance Services officially begin August 3, 2026. This summer program is a developmental enrichment pilot prior to insurance-based ABA expansion.
🧠 Our Program Philosophy
At SAAI every child is treated as an individual. All groups are intentionally small to allow individualized attention and embedded 1:1 support within programming.
Ages 18 months – 3 years
Small-group developmental play focused on sensory regulation, communication, transitions, adaptive routines and social engagement.
Ages 3 – 5 years
Structured developmental learning group focused on school readiness, social skills, emotional regulation, adaptive learning and communication growth.
Ages 6 – 10 years
Developmental enrichment and movement-based learning focused on behavior support, teamwork, self-regulation, confidence, academic reinforcement and beginner BJJ integration.
Tuesdays & Thursdays
For children who benefit from more individualized attention, are not yet group-ready, or need targeted support in specific developmental areas.
Tuesdays & Thursdays · By Appointment
Parent support sessions to help families implement effective developmental and behavioral strategies at home.
Structured Support Program
Targeted toileting assistance and developmental routine support. Each plan is individualized based on the child's readiness, history, and family goals.
Limited early enrollment benefits for our first families who help us build something special.
Plan Your Summer
June 15 – August 1, 2026 · All times are Maui time. Holidays and closures are noted below.
Weekly Schedule at a Glance
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
🧠 ABA Insurance Services Begin August 3, 2026
Families enrolled in the summer pilot program will receive priority access to ABA enrollment. Start your insurance verification process now!
Start ABA Enrollment Process →🎉 Grand Opening — Monday, June 15th, 2026!
🌞 Summer Pilot Program: June 15 – August 1, 2026 | ⚠️ ABA Insurance Services Begin August 3, 2026
💳 Payment Options
📅 Our Weekly Schedule
🤝 Our Promise to Families
We hope to never turn a family away. Whether you need a quick consultation or ongoing support, we are here to help every child and every family — no matter what.
Mark Your Calendar
Not open yet? Join our waitlist to be first in line!
Be First In Line
We open June 15th — spots are limited! Sign up below and we'll reach out to you first when we're ready to welcome families.
The Journey
We make it simple and stress-free to get started. Here's what the process looks like from first contact to ongoing progress.
We chat about your child, your goals, and what you're looking for. No pressure, just a conversation.
We observe and assess your child's strengths and areas of growth to build a personalized plan.
We build a custom plan around your child's goals, schedule, and learning style.
Your child starts attending sessions — 1-on-1 appointments or small groups, depending on their needs.
We track data, share updates, and adjust the plan as your child grows. You're always in the loop.
Find Us
📍 310 Ohukai St, Suite 314 · Kihei, Hawaii
📍 Get DirectionsGot Questions?
We work with children from toddlers through early school age. If you are unsure if your child is a good fit, reach out and we will chat — we are always happy to help point you in the right direction.
No diagnosis is required. We welcome all children and families. Whether your child has a formal diagnosis or you are just noticing some areas where they could use extra support, we are here for you.
Session length varies based on your child's program and needs. We will discuss the best schedule during your free consultation.
Yes — we accept insurance and private pay for qualifying services. We never want cost to be a barrier for a family. Please reach out and we will work with you to find the best option.
1-on-1 appointments (Tuesdays and Thursdays) are dedicated sessions focused entirely on your child's individual goals. Small group sessions (Monday, Wednesday and Friday) are structured group experiences that build social skills, peer interaction, and group readiness in a fun, supportive setting.
We are located at 310 Ohukai St, Suite 314, Kihei, Hawaii. We can't wait to welcome you!
We welcome that! We hope to never turn a family away. Whether you need a quick conversation or ongoing support, please reach out. Every family deserves guidance.
Investment
We believe every child deserves quality support. We are committed to working with families to make that possible.
We accept private pay for all services. Rates are discussed during your free consultation based on your child's program and needs.
We work with insurance providers to help cover services. Contact us to verify your coverage and discuss your options.
We hope to never turn a family away. If cost is a concern, please talk to us — we will always try to find a way to help.
👨👩👧👦 Sibling Discount
Enroll more than one child and receive 10% off for each additional sibling. Because every child deserves to grow! 🌺
For specific pricing, join the waitlist or call us at (808) 303-5748.
Faith-Friendly Environment
At SAAI, we respect and honor the whole child — including their family's values and faith. For families within Christian communities or who hold faith-based values, we are happy to incorporate that into our approach.
This may look like opening sessions with prayer, using faith-based encouragement, or simply creating a space where your family's beliefs are welcomed and respected — never dismissed.
We believe that when a child feels fully seen — including spiritually — they thrive. Every family is different, and we meet you where you are. 🌺
Schedule a Visit
Book a free consultation today — let's talk about how we can support your child's journey.
📧 Contact Us Today