Wine with Wita

• Holding Back or Giving Time? The School Readiness Debate - with Carl Sokkar

  Hi everyone,This week on Wine with Wita, we’re continuing our School Readiness Series with someone very special to me, my former clinical educator, mentor, and dear friend, Carl Sokkar. Carl is a highly experienced speech pathologist and theDirector of the Speech Language Learning Centre in Westmead, the very first clinic I worked at after university. It’s still one of the most supportive, client-focused clinics I’ve known. In this conversation, Carl and I talk about what school readiness really looks like from a communication perspective.We explore:🎒 What skills actually help children succeed in the classroom 🎒 Why emotional readiness can be just as important as academic knowledge 🎒 How to spot red flags and support your child early 🎒 Why “holding back” might not be the right term at all 🎒 What a speech pathologist looks at when assessing school readinessWe also break down the core communication milestones andshare simple strategies parents can use at home to support their child’s confidence and learning.📍 Carl Sokkar is the Director of Speech Language Learning Centre, based in Westmead, Sydney. You can also find the clinic on Instagram @speechlanguagelearningcentreLots of love, RitaP.S.: Follow me on @winewithwitapodcast for more tips, insights and updates.This episode of Wine with Wita is brought to you by Nundies- soft, sensory-friendly absorbent pants for kids who need a little extra support with toileting. As a speechie and a mum, I know how helpful they can be for delayed toilet training or sensory needs. They're gentle, breathable, NDIS-covered, and make everyday life that bit easier. Get 30% off your first order with the code WITA30 at ⁠ConfidenceClub.com.au⁠.Disclaimer: the purpose of this podcast is to provide information. You must not rely on the information on this podcast as an alternative to speech and language therapy. You must always consult with a Speech Pathologist, GP and/or paediatrician if you have any concerns about your child's communication and/development

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• Before You Enrol: What Teachers Wish Parents Knew - with Jess Labban

  Hi everyone, This week on Wine with Wita, we’re kicking off our specialSchool Readiness Series with someone who’s seen it from all angles, both in the classroom and at home. Jess Labban is back!! She is a primary school teacher with11 years of experience and a mum to two young kids. In this conversation, Jess shares: ✅ What school readiness really means (hint: it’s not about writing their name) ✅ Why emotional regulation, attention and independence matter more than academics ✅ What happens when children start school before they’re truly ready ✅ The long-term impacts teachers see when kids are pushed too early ✅ Why repeating a grade can do more harm than good ✅ The power of connection, curiosity and play in the early years ✅ Why being honest with your child’s future school is always the best moveJess speaks with the calm wisdom of a teacher and the fiercelove of a mother, and whether your child is starting school soon or you’re planning ahead, this episode will leave you feeling more prepared and empowered.Lots of love, RitaP.S.: Follow me on Instagram for more tips, insights and updates.📲 Got questions for Jess?You can reach out to her viaher socials. This episode was proudly sponsored Tambakis Physiotherapy, because parents deserve support too.When you're raising a child with physical or developmental challenges having the right people around you makes all the difference.Tambakis offers expert, family centred physiotherapy and exercise physiology in Sydney's South-West, helping you feel less alone and more supported on the journey.Learn more at tambakisphysiotherapy.com.auDisclaimer: the purpose of this podcast is to provide information. You must not rely on the information on this podcast as an alternative to speech and language therapy. You must always consult with a Speech Pathologist, GP and/or paediatrician if you have any concerns about your child's communication and/development

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• 1M followers. 30+ years experience. One powerful message for parents. - Dr. Robert Melillo

  Hi everyone,This week’s Wine with Wita is one of the most important conversations I’ve ever had on the podcast. I had the absolute honour of speaking with Dr. Robert Melillo, world-renowned expert in childhood neurological disorders, founder of the Brain Balance Centers, creator of the Melillo Method, and author of the groundbreaking book Disconnected Kids. With over 1 million followers online and 30+ years of experience, Dr. Melillo has helped change the lives of thousands of families across the world, and now, he’s sharing his wisdom with us.In this powerful episode, we explore: ✅ What’s really going on in your child’s brain✅ Why early signs and milestones matter more than you’re told ✅How imbalances in brain development contribute to autism, ADHD, and speech delays ✅And the hope that comes from understanding the root cause, not just managing symptomsWe also talk about the importance of asking why, the need for a true multidisciplinary approach, and what it means to help a child become the optimal version of themselves, whatever that looks like.This is a conversation for every parent, educator, and health professional who wants more than a label, and believes that real change is possible.  Explore his books and training:drrobertmelillo.com Follow Dr. Melillo on Instagram:@drrobertmelilloI’m so proud to bring this episode to the Wine with Wita community. Let me know what you think, I’d love to hear how it lands for you.Lots of love,RitaP.S.: Follow me onInstagram for more tips, insights and updates.This episode of Wine with Wita is brought to you by Nundies- soft, sensory-friendly absorbent pants for kids who need a little extra support with toileting. As a speechie and a mum, I know how helpful they can be for delayed toilet training or sensory needs. They're gentle, breathable, NDIS-covered, and make everyday life that bit easier. Get 30% off your first order with the code WITA30 at ⁠⁠ConfidenceClub.com.au⁠⁠.Disclaimer: the purpose of this podcast is to provide information. You must not rely on the information on this podcast as an alternative to speech and language therapy. You must always consult with a Speech Pathologist, GP and/or paediatrician if you have any concerns about your child's communication and/development.

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• She was told by email that her son likely had a disability - with Anna Adoncello

  Hi everyone, This week on Wine with Wita, I’m joined by Anna, mother to3-year-old Hugo, who was diagnosed with spastic quadriplegia cerebral palsy. Anna shares how her world shifted in an instant when shereceived an email saying her son likely had a disability. Her pregnancy was smooth, her delivery uneventful, and yethere she was, trying to process a diagnosis while still recovering from birth. In this episode, we talk about:✔️ The shock and grief that come with a CP diagnosis ✔️ The mental load of managing intense therapy schedules ✔️ How NDIS left her feeling unsupported ✔️ Why putting yourself first is not selfish, it’s survival ✔️ And how little Hugo has taught her the true meaning of resilienceAnna speaks with honesty, strength and grace, and I know her words will help other families feel seen.Lots of love, RitaP.S.: Follow me on Instagram for more tips, insights and updates.And if you’d like to follow Hugo’s journey, you can findAnna at @hugos.journeyThis episode was proudly sponsored Tambakis Physiotherapy, because parents deserve support too. When you're raising a child with physical or developmental challenges having the right people around you makes all the difference.Tambakis offers expert, family centred physiotherapy and exercise physiology in Sydney's South-West, helping you feel less alone and more supported on the journey. Learn more at tambakisphysiotherapy.com.au Disclaimer: the purpose of this podcast is to provide information. You must not rely on the information on this podcast as an alternative to speech and language therapy. You must always consult with a Speech Pathologist, GP and/or paediatrician if you have any concerns about your child's communication and/development.

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• Why I Dropped Everything to Become His Therapist

  Hi everyone, In this week’s episode of Wine with Wita, I’m joined by theincredible Porscia Lam, Melbourne-based mum, lawyer, and author of The Unlocking: An Autism Story.Porscia’s son Harry was diagnosed with autism during Melbourne’s gruelling lockdowns. What followed was a journey filled with confusion, heartbreak, and profound learning , not just about autism, but about herself, her culture, and what it really means to advocate for your child. In this heartfelt conversation, Porscia shares:💗 How her son’s anxiety and demand avoidance shaped every part of their day 💗 The moment she gave up her corporate career to become his full-time carer 💗 Why she chose to try ABA therapy, despite the controversy 💗 What society often gets wrong about therapy, autism, and ‘normal’ development 💗 How her cultural upbringing complicated the process of seeking a diagnosis 💗 Why she wrote her book to help other parents feel less aloneAnd yes, we talk about the Happy Hulk, Harry’s alter ego that made everything from nappies to therapy possible. You’ll laugh, cry, and come away with a deeper appreciation for the emotional labour that often sits behind early intervention. Porscia’s story is one of love, resilience, and redefining success, and it’s one every parent, carer, and clinician needs to hear.🔗 Buy her book: The Unlocking: A Memoir ofPathological Demand Avoidance📚 More about Porscia: www.porscialam.com📸 Follow her on Instagram: @porscia.lamLots of love, RitaP.S.: Follow me on Instagramfor more tips, insights and updates.This episode of Wine with Wita is brought to you by Nundies- soft, sensory-friendly absorbent pants for kids who need a little extra support with toileting. As a speechie and a mum, I know how helpful they can be for delayed toilet training or sensory needs. They're gentle, breathable, NDIS-covered, and make everyday life that bit easier. Get 30% off your first order with the code WITA30 at ⁠ConfidenceClub.com.au⁠.Disclaimer: the purpose of this podcast is to provide information. You must not rely on the information on this podcast as an alternative to speech and language therapy. You must always consult with a Speech Pathologist, GP and/or paediatrician if you have any concerns about your child's communication and/development

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