Hey everyoneThis October, Wine with Wita is partnering with ENVISAGE Families to share stories that matter.In this week’s episode, I am joined by Professor Laura Miller, an occupational therapist with over 25 years of experience supporting children with disabilities and their families around the world. Laura now leads the ENVISAGE Families program, a free initiative designed to empower caregivers and strengthen family wellbeing.Together, we discuss:✨ The reality of carer burnout✨ Why asking for help is not weakness but strength✨ How parents can return to themselves while caring for their child✨ The power of community, lived experience and shared advocacy✨ How ENVISAGE Families is changing lives across AustraliaTo learn more about Envisage Families, have a look here. Lots of love,RitaP.S.: follow me on Instagram for more tips, insights and updates This episode of Wine with Wita is brought to you by Envisage Families, a program designed to empower parents and caregivers raising children with developmental differences.As a speechie and a mum, I love how Envisage provides research-based strategies, practical tools, and a community that truly understands the journey of caregiving. It is about giving families the confidence, support, and connection they need to thrive. Learn more and access their free resources at https://envisage.community/resources/ 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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1:02:51
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1:02:51
The Hidden Story of Carers: Why Parents Need Support Too - with Rose Babic
Hi everyone,This October, Wine with Wita is partnering with ENVISAGE Families to share stories that matter. In this week’s episode, I am joined by Rose Babic, a lived experience researcher in childhood disability, NDIS support coordinator and passionate advocate for family empowerment. Rose is mum to Eric, who has a complex neuro-disabilityrequiring 24/7 care, and Marcus, her younger son.Rose opens up about what it means to balance two very different sets of needs, the reality of exhaustion and advocacy, and the moment she realised “enough is enough” and chose presence over pressure.Together we discuss:✨ Why parents need care too✨ Moving from “doing everything” to “doing what you can”✨ The importance of community and shared advocacy✨ How ENVISAGE Families is supporting parents across AustraliaIf you are caring for a child with additional needs, or supporting someone who is, this episode is for you. Lots of love,Rita x This episode of Wine with Wita is brought to you by Envisage Families, a program designed to empower parents and caregivers raising children with developmental differences.As a speechie and a mum, I love how Envisage provides research-based strategies, practical tools, and a community that truly understands the journey of caregiving.It is about giving families the confidence, support, and connection they need to thrive. Learn more and access their free resources at Resources - Envisage Families 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 yourchild's communication and/development.
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51:37
School Readiness Secrets Every Parent Should Know
Hi everyone, We are back with another episode in the School ReadinessSeries on Wine with Wita, and this one dives into a perspective every parent should hear. I am joined by Ann Murphy, child and family counsellor andfounder of Web of Light, to explore why emotional safety and connection matter more than letters and numbers when it comes to starting school. From her experience supporting children and families through schools and private practice, Ann shares practical, real-world strategies to help parents, because when a parent feels equipped and supported, the child thrives. In this conversation, we cover:✨ How to know if your child is truly ready for school ✨ Why emotional and social wellbeing are the foundation for learning ✨ Red flags to look out for in your child’s readiness ✨ Strategies to help you as the parent, so you can better support your child ✨ The power of connection and emotional safety in setting your child up for successIf you have ever worried about whether your child is readyfor that first day, this episode will give you clarity, reassurance, and tools you can use straight away.Lots of love, Rita P.S.: Follow me on Instagram 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 fordelayed 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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45:30
Beyond ABCs: What Your Child Really Needs Before School Starts - Maria Perco
Hi everyone, In this episode of Wine with Wita, we’re joined by paediatric occupational therapist and founder of Move Play Grow, Maria Perco. Maria has helped hundreds of children build the motor, sensory and self-care skills they need to thrive at school and beyond. In our chat, Maria shares her practical insights on what school readiness really means from an OT perspective. Spoiler alert - it is about more than handwriting, numbersand knowing the alphabet. We talk about:✔️ Why independence in self-care matters ✔️ The link between sensory regulation and attention ✔️ What crossing the midline actually is and how play helps ✔️ How to support your child’s confidence and self-advocacy at schoolWhether you’re a parent, carer or educator, this episodewill help you better understand what to look for, what to support at home, and when to seek help. Maria also shares her personal experience as a mum of three,plus how she co-founded an app designed to streamline therapist-family communication in allied health.📲 Connect with Maria on Instagram @moveplaygrowot🌐 Visit the website: www.moveplaygrowot.com.auLots of love, RitaP.S.: Follow me on @winewithwitapodcastfor more tips, insights and updates.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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42:05
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
The number one podcast in Australia for parents navigating life with children with communication difficulties and/or disabilities.
Hosted by Rita Shamoun, founder of RS Speech Pathology, Wine with Wita is a trusted space for families and health professionals to come together. Each episode features interviews with leading experts and real families, offering reliable guidance, insights, and evidence-based strategies.
With warmth, expertise, and heart, Rita creates a supportive environment where parents feel seen, empowered, and less alone.
So SIP back, relax, and enjoy the show!
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