Wine with Wita | Speech Pathology & Parenting Support

Get Rita's free speech pathology guide for parents: https://www.rsspeechpathology.com.au/free-training

In this episode of Wine with Wita, Rita sits down with comedian, former teacher and autism dad Jay Yoder for an honest conversation about raising his autistic daughter, Alicia.

Jay shares how he navigated Alicia’s early autism diagnosis and the grief, comparison and isolation he experienced at the beginning. He opens up about speech delays, meltdowns, elopement, puberty and the uncertainty surrounding Alicia’s future independence.

He also discusses the importance of finding a community that understands. Through inclusive sport and meaningful friendships, Jay’s family found spaces where Alicia could be celebrated for her strengths.

Jay eventually turned his experiences into comedy. By finding humour in difficult moments and saying the things many parents are afraid to say out loud, he helps families feel less alone while challenging harmful autism stereotypes.

This conversation explores the reality, humour and heart of autism parenting. It is a reminder that an autism diagnosis is not the end. It is the beginning of a different journey filled with connection, unexpected strengths and dreams you may never have imagined.

Connect with Jay:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jayyodercomedy/?hl=en 

Connect with Rita:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/winewithwitapodcast/ 
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@WineWithWitapodcast 
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2igo4o3aDACW150Al0aLr1 
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/wine-with-wita-speech-pathology-parenting-support/id1743156009 
Website: https://www.rsspeechpathology.com.au/ 
Connection Creates Communication waitlist: https://wine-with-wita.kit.com/connection-waitlist 
Wita's Weekly Wecap (newsletter): https://wine-with-wita.kit.com/09e84e6753 
 
Trailer Music:
Music: 'The Calling' by Brock Hewitt: Stories in Sound on# Uppbeat https://uppbeat.io/c/brock-hewitt-stories-in-sound License code:H0CZIMGQKNGDA584

Ad details:
Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):https://uppbeat.io/t/iros-young/a-perfect-day License code: HNK2Y5KYSFI2JFGE
 
Wine with Wita is Australia's leading podcast for parents navigating life with children with communication difficulties, disabilities and additional support needs. Hosted by Rita Shamoun, speech pathologist and founder of RS Speech Pathology.
 
New episodes every Friday.

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

Get Rita's free speech pathology guide for parents: https://www.rsspeechpathology.com.au/free-training

October is AAC Awareness Month. In this episode of Wine with Wita, Rita is joined by AAC communicator Siobhan Daley and Stephen from Liberator Australia.

Siobhan is a writer, content creator and elite bocciaathlete with cerebral palsy. She shares how her communication device supports her independence and allows her to participate in everyday life. She also explains why non-speaking does not mean non-understanding and why AAC should never be treated as a last resort.

Stephen shares practical advice for families and speech pathologists. He discusses choosing the right AAC device, supporting communication partners and challenging the myth that AAC prevents verbal communication.

Together, they explore the importance of giving AAC usersenough time and privacy to communicate. 

This conversation is a powerful reminder that every person deserves the opportunity to communicate, connect and be heard.

Learn more about Siobhan and access AAC resources:
Siobhan’s Substack:
https://substack.com/@siobhandaley
About Siobhan:
https://www.siobhandaley.com/about
Siobhan’s boccia profile:
https://www.paralympic.org.au/athlete/siobhan-daley/
How Siobhan trained her greyhound using AAC:
https://liberator.net.au/siobhan-trains-her-greyhound-with-aac/
Liberator Global AAC App Sale:
https://liberator.net.au/liberator-global-aac-app-sale-is-coming/
Free AAC training from Liberator Australia:
https://liberator.net.au/training/

*A note about this interview: The interviewee communicatesusing an AAC (augmentative and alternative communication) device, which means her responses can take longer to produce than spoken conversation. For clarity and pacing, some pauses, repetition and response time have been edited out of the published interview. Her words and meaning have not been altered.

Connect with Rita:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/winewithwitapodcast/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@WineWithWitapodcast Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/2igo4o3aDACW150Al0aLr1 Apple:https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/wine-with-wita-speech-pathology-parenting-support/id1743156009Website: https://www.rsspeechpathology.com.au/ Connection Creates Communicationwaitlist: https://wine-with-wita.kit.com/connection-waitlist Wita's WeeklyWecap (newsletter): https://wine-with-wita.kit.com/09e84e6753
 
New episodes every Friday.
 
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.

Get Rita's free speech pathology guide for parents: https://www.rsspeechpathology.com.au/free-training

Sara Ruggeri was told she had a perfect baby. She knew she didn't.

Her daughter Valentina is the only person in Australia ever reported to have hyaline fibromatosis syndrome. It's an ultra-rare genetic condition with between one and 200 cases recorded worldwide.

But the diagnosis took seven months. Seven months of screaming Sara couldn't explain. Tests that kept coming back clear. Doctors who told her she was overthinking it.

Sara walks us through all of it. A short femur at 32 weeks. A newborn screaming in pain. Months of 3am Googling. Then a lab in Perth found a gene variant no one had ever seen. The answer came with a sentence she refused to accept. No cure. No treatment. Manage her symptoms and good luck. 

What she did next is why this episode exists. She went to an event she almost skipped. A professor spoke about gene therapy for another ultra-rare condition. She walked up to him afterwards. That conversation became a pathway to a treatment that will cost up to eight million dollars.

This one is about mother's instinct. About being dismissed. And about what happens when a parent refuses to hear no. 

In this episode:
Mother's instinct and the 32 week red flag

Hyaline fibromatosis syndrome explained

Why the search for a diagnosis is the hardest part

Medical gaslighting when doctors say nothing is wrong

Why genetic testing came back clear

Gene variants never reported anywhere in the world

Why "no treatment" is a funding problem

Early intervention from day one

Finding your village

A rare disease is not your child's personality

Living in the now after diagnosis

Valentina's Village and the $8 million

Filling your cup as a special needs mum

Connect with Valentina's Village:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/valentinasvillageau/ 
Website: https://valentinasvillage.com.au/ 
Gala Event/ Ticket Link: https://www.trybooking.com/au/event/an-evening-of-hope-1624311 
Fundraising / donation link: https://valentinasvillage.com.au/donate/ 

Connect with Rita:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/winewithwitapodcast/ 
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@WineWithWitapodcast 
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2igo4o3aDACW150Al0aLr1 
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/wine-with-wita-speech-pathology-parenting-support/id1743156009 
Website: https://www.rsspeechpathology.com.au/ 
Connection Creates Communication waitlist: https://wine-with-wita.kit.com/connection-waitlist 
Wita's Weekly Wecap (newsletter): https://wine-with-wita.kit.com/09e84e6753 

This episode is proudly sponsored by Dom Panino, Leichhardt.
https://www.dompanino.com.au/ 

Wine with Wita is Australia's leading podcast for parents navigating life with children with communication difficulties, disabilities and additional support needs. Hosted by Rita Shamoun, speech pathologist and founder of RS Speech Pathology.

New episodes every Friday.

Trailer music info: Music from #Uppbeathttps://uppbeat.io/t/simon-folwar/from-whisper-to-wonderLicense code: KLB05MGGBFENR9KW
AD music info:
Song title: All Our Dreams
Artist: The North
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Licence/Certificate holder: Daniel Hannah
Customer Number: Pb2iQA
Certificate effective date: 31 October 2025
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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.

Get Rita's free speech pathology guide for parents 🍷 https://www.rsspeechpathology.com.au/free-training

In this episode of Wine with Wita, Rita sits down with David Flood, co-author of A Kids Book About Autism, which he created alongside his autistic son, Justin.
David shares his experience of Justin’s autism diagnosis at 18 months. He also reveals the moments that led him to become a passionate advocate for autism inclusion. 

When Justin reached middle school, the invitations stopped coming and he began eating lunch alone. That experience inspired David to speak in schools across the United States, helping students understand the difference between simply being aware of someone with a disability and genuinely accepting them.

David and Rita discuss the importance of entering an autistic child’s world. They explore how families can find support after an autism diagnosis and connect with others who understand the journey. They also talk about advocacy, kindness and belonging. Most importantly, they share how we can help every child feel seen, heard and valued. 

David’s message is simple but powerful: awareness is knowing someone has a disability; acceptance is inviting them to sit with you. 

In this episode 👇
Justin’s autism diagnosis at 18 months and navigating the early stages

His experience of exclusion at school and eating lunch alone

The difference between autism awareness, acceptance and true inclusion

Helping autistic children feel seen, heard and valued

Entering your child’s world and following their interests

Connecting with other parents and finding the right support

Advocating for your child during professional meetings

Turning one family’s experience into autism advocacy

Co-writing A Kids Book About Autism with Justin

Kindness, community, human connection and trusting your child’s path

Connect with David Flood:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/davidfloodspeaks 
A Kids Book About Autism :https://www.amazon.com.au/Kids-Book-About-Autism 

Connect with Rita:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/winewithwitapodcast/ 
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@WineWithWitapodcast 
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2igo4o3aDACW150Al0aLr1 
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/wine-with-wita-speech-pathology-parenting-support/id1743156009 
Website: https://www.rsspeechpathology.com.au/ 
Connection Creates Communication waitlist: https://wine-with-wita.kit.com/connection-waitlist 
Wita's Weekly Wecap (newsletter): https://wine-with-wita.kit.com/09e84e6753 

Wine with Wita is Australia's leading podcast for parents navigating life with children with communication difficulties, disabilities and additional support needs. Hosted by Rita Shamoun, speech pathologist and founder of RS Speech Pathology.

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/iros-young/a-perfect-day
License code: HNK2Y5KYSFI2JFGE

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.

New episodes every Friday.

Get Rita's free speech pathology guide for parents: https://www.rsspeechpathology.com.au/free-training

In this episode of Wine With Wita, Rita sits down with Dr Mary Bourke to talk about chewing, airway health, and what a child's mouth can tell you long before anyone puts a name to it. You have watched your child sleep with their mouth open and wondered whether it means anything. You have been told the teeth grinding is normal, the fussy eating is a phase, the broken nights will sort themselves out. Maybe someone has raised behaviour, or ADHD, and it did not sit right with you. Rita has been in that spot herself, standing in a dentist's office being told her daughter's tongue thrust was hers to solve because she was the speech pathologist.

Dr Mary Bourke is a chiropractor of more than 30 years and the CEO of Myo Munchee, the chewing device her father, Australian dentist Dr Kevin Bourke, first developed after noticing how differently jaws grew in people who chewed hard for their food. Mary explains why most facial growth happens in the first four to six years, why chewing is one of the simplest inputs a parent has in that window, and how it connects to sleep, speech and what shows up later in the classroom. She and Rita also cover when the dummy's job is done, why swaddling past six weeks can get in the way of a baby's movement, and what to watch for at three to five months.

If you are a parent who has looked at your child sleeping with their mouth open, watched them push food to one side of their plate, or been told it is just behaviour, this episode is for you.

In this episode:
- Why Rita trained as an orofacial myologist after a dentist told her she should already know
- What a tongue thrust is, and how it reshapes a child's teeth and jaw over time
- The jawbone on a beach that led to the Myo Munchee, and why Mary's dad kept going
- Why children chew far less than they used to, and what that does to jaw growth
- The difference between a whole apple and a pretty bento box of cut up fruit
- When the dummy has done its job, and what Mary suggests takes its place
- Why lips resting open is worth a closer look, and what the tongue is doing instead
- How Mary connects early sleep trouble to what turns up later in the classroom
- What Mary wants parents watching for at three to five months old

Connect with Dr Mary Bourke:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drmarybourke/
Myo Munchee Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/myomunchee/
Myo Munchee: https://myomunchee.com/
Handbook for the Human: https://www.handbookforthehuman.com/

Connect with Rita:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/winewithwitapodcast/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@WineWithWitapodcast
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2igo4o3aDACW150Al0aLr1
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/wine-with-wita-speech-pathology-parenting-support/id1743156009
Website: https://www.rsspeechpathology.com.au/
Connection Creates Communication waitlist: https://wine-with-wita.kit.com/connection-waitlist
Wita's Weekly Wecap (newsletter): https://wine-with-wita.kit.com/09e84e6753

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.

Music from #Uppbeat
https://uppbeat.io/t/iros-young/rain-of-light
License code: LZFCDXTEOYBYGYI0

Wine with Wita is Australia's leading podcast for parents navigating life with children with communication difficulties, disabilities and additional support needs. Hosted by Rita Shamoun, speech pathologist and founder of RS Speech Pathology.

New episodes every Friday.