Wine with Wita | Speech Pathology & Parenting Support

Rita Shamoun
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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, each episode brings together expert advice, lived experiences and real family stories. With warmth, honesty and connection, Wine with Wita helps families feel informed, empowered and less alone. So SIP back, relax and enjoy the show!

  1. 4d ago

    The Reality No One Prepares You For | Raising a Non-Speaking Autistic Child | Part 2

    Hey everyone, Part 2 of my conversation with Kathryn Denny is now live!​ We go deeper into Kathryn’s experience raising and advocating for her non-speaking autistic son, Jaska, and what it means to truly believe in a child’s ability to understand and communicate. ​In Part 2, we talk about: 💫 Presuming competence in non-speaking children 💫 Understanding versus being able to express 💫Modelling communication without pressure 💫 Listening to non-speaking voices 💫 Recognising communication attempts 💫 Continuing to believe in their ability to communicate. its a powerful reminder that just because someone cannot express everything they are thinking, it doesn’t mean there isn’t so much happening beneath the surface. This episode of Wine with Wita is brought to you by Wonsie -thoughtfully designed adaptive clothing that supports children and adults with disability and additional needs. As a speechie, I know how the right supports can make everyday life easier for individuals, families, and carers.​ Wonsie creates adaptive clothing that promotes comfort, dignity, and independence, while making everyday care that little bit easier. Enjoy 15% off all Wonsie branded products with the code WINE+WONSIE at ⁠www.wonsie.com.au⁠. Lots of love, Rita 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. Ad details: Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):https://uppbeat.io/t/iros-young/a-perfect-day License code: HNK2Y5KYSFI2JFGE Trailer:  Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/studiokolomna/elegy-of-the-heartstrings License code: TQHUCREOAEKUT9F2

  2. Aug 13

    The Reality No One Prepares You For | Raising a Non-Speaking Autistic Child | Part 1

    Hey everyone, This week, I’m joined by Kathryn Denny, a mother of three,content creator and passionate disability advocate. ​Kathryn openly shares her journey raising her non-speaking autistic son, Jaska, from the early signs she noticed and the diagnosis that was initially missed, to learning how to understand and advocate for his unique way of communicating. She also shares how AAC has helped give Jaska access to a wider vocabulary, allowing his family to model language, acknowledge his emotions and include him more fully in everyday conversations.In this episode, we talk about: 💫 Recognising autism and navigating diagnosis💫 Understanding and advocating for non-speaking children💫 Presuming competence and looking beyond spoken words💫 Using AAC to support meaningful communication💫 Recognising behaviour, gestures and music as communication💫 Navigating healthcare, education and the NDIS💫 Helping every child feel heard and included ​Kathryn’s story is an important reminder that communication is so much more than spoken words. This episode of Wine with Wita is brought to you by Wonsie -thoughtfully designed adaptive clothing that supports children and adults with disability and additional needs. As a speechie, I know how the right supports can make everyday life easier for individuals, families, and carers. Wonsie creates adaptive clothing that promotes comfort, dignity, and independence, while making everyday care that little bit easier. Enjoy 15% off all Wonsie branded products with the code WINE+WONSIE at www.wonsie.com.au. Lots of love, Rita ​ P.S.: follow me on Instagram for more tips, insights and updates. Disclaimer: the purpose of this podcast is to provideinformation. 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. Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/iros-young/a-perfect-day License code: HNK2Y5KYSFI2JFGE

  3. Aug 6

    How One Simple Idea Became a Lifeline for Families

    Hey everyone, This week, I’m joined by Julie O’Donovan, Founder and Director of Wonsie and her best friend Christy, whose son Zac inspired the very first design. ​ After Zac outgrew traditional bodysuits, Christy found herself using sticky tape to keep his clothing secure at night. Exhausted and desperate for a safer, more dignified solution, she turned to Julie for help. ​What began as a single custom-made garment has grown into a trusted brand supporting thousands of families and care providers across Australia and around the world. ​In this episode, we talk about: 💫 The hidden realities families with additional needs often face 💫 How Zac and Christy’s lived experience inspired Wonsie 💫 Designing adaptive clothing for dignity, comfort and sensory needs 💫 How smearing and undressing can affect the whole family 💫 The power of friendship, community and inclusion 💫 The parents who say Wonsie helped save their marriage ​Wonsie may have started as a simple idea, but for many families it has become peace of mind, dignity, safety and the freedom to enjoy everyday life with less stress. Sometimes the ideas that create the greatest impact begin with simply noticing that someone needs help. ​PLUS - You can use the code Wine+Wonsie for 15% off discount on all Wonsie branded products from their website www.wonsie.com.au​ This discount is valid until the end of September. Lots of love, Rita ​ P.S.: follow me on Instagram for more tips, insights and updates. Disclaimer: the purpose of this podcast is to provideinformation. 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.

  4. Aug 4

    What ChatGPT Taught Me About Communicating With Children

    Hey everyone, This week’s episode was inspired by a very relatable moment in the car when I repeatedly asked my phone to call someone, only for it to misunderstand me every single time. I changed my tone, slowed down, repeated myself, tried a different accent and eventually spelled the name out. When the call finally worked, it made me think about how naturally we adjust the way we communicate with technology. We give ChatGPT more context. We speak more slowly to Alexa. We repeat ourselves when our car does not understand us. We change the words we use until the message is clear. But how often do we make those same adjustments for our children? ​In this episode, we talk about: 💫 Why communication is about adjusting, not getting it right the first time 💫 Slowing down and simplifying the language we use 💫 Giving children more time to process and respond 💫 Using repetition, pauses and clearer instructions 💫 Learning from the way we communicate with AI and technology 💫 Helping children feel included, understood and valued ​ This episode is a reminder that when communication is not working, it does not always mean the other person is not listening or understanding. ​Sometimes, we need to change the way we are delivering the message. We already do this every day with technology, so let’s offer our children that same patience, flexibility and willingness to try again. 🌿 Connection Creates Communication Wondering what to do while you wait for speech therapy? Connection Creates Communication is my new 6-week program for parents of children aged 0–5, designed to give you practical, everyday strategies to support your child's communication at home. ​ 👉🏼 Learn more & Join: ⁠⁠Connection Creates Communication⁠⁠​ ​ Questions? Email ⁠⁠rita@rsspeechpathology.com.au⁠⁠ or send me a DM on Instagram. 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.

  5. Jul 23

    Pregnancy Loss, Motherhood and Finding the Strength to Keep Going

    Hey everyone,   This week, I’m joined by Nikolina Kharoufeh, a journalist,writer, podcast host and mother of three. Nikolina shares honestly about the identity shift she experienced after becoming a mother, the postnatal anxiety and sadness that followed, and how asking for help helped her begin to feellike herself again. ​She also opens up about becoming pregnant with identical twins and the devastating moment she learned that one of her sons, Micah, had passed away at 24 weeks.​At the same time, she still had to keep going for his twin brother, Hugo.​​In this episode, we talk about: 💫 Losing yourself in the transition to motherhood💫 Recognising when you are not okay and asking for help💫 Navigating pregnancy loss while still carrying another baby💫 Mother’s intuition, faith and finding meaning during grief💫 Giving birth at 30 weeks and spending 62 days in the NICU💫 Holding grief and gratitude at the same time💫 The support that helped Nikolina keep going💫 Giving yourself permission to stop, feel and rest ​Nikolina’s story is a powerful reminder that grief does not follow a timeline and strength does not mean pretending everything is okay.Sometimes strength is asking for help. Sometimes it is allowing yourself to cry.​And sometimes it is simply continuing to take the next step, even while carrying heartbreak.   🌿 Connection Creates Communication   Wondering what to do while you wait for speech therapy?   Connection Creates Communication is my new 6-week program for parents of children aged 0–5, designed to give you practical, everyday strategies to support your child's communication at home. ​ 👉🏼 Learn more & Join: Connection Creates Communication​ ​ Questions? Email rita@rsspeechpathology.com.au or send me a DM on Instagram.   Lots of love, Rita x   P.S.: follow me on Instagram for more tips, insights and updates.     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.

  6. Jul 16

    How We Can Teach Children to Understand Autism

    Hey everyone, This week, I’m joined by Pauline Sorell, an early years specialeducator, support worker and children’s book author.​Pauline saw a lack of autism awareness in schools and the wider community and began asking herself how she could help children better understand their autistic peers.​In this episode, we talk about: 💫 Why autism awareness should begin early💫 Teaching children about AAC and different ways of communicating💫 The importance of representation in children’s books💫 Encouraging curiosity, empathy and inclusion💫 Why support workers are essential for many families💫 Carer burnout and the need for meaningful support​This episode is a reminder that not speaking does not mean a child has nothing to say. When we help children understand communication differences, we help create classrooms and communities where more children feel seen, heard andincluded.Grab a glass of wine and listen to the latest episode of Wine with Wita.​❤️ Get your copy of Jassy Bear 🌿 Connection Creates Communication Wondering what to do while you wait for speech therapy? Connection Creates Communication is my new 6-week program for parents of children aged 0–5, designed to give you practical, everyday strategies to support your child's communication at home. ​ 👉🏼 Learn more & Join: Connection Creates Communication​ ​ Questions? Email rita@rsspeechpathology.com.au or send me a DM on Instagram. Lots of love, Rita x P.S.: follow me on Instagram for more tips, insights and updates. Disclaimer: the purpose of this podcast is to provideinformation. 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.

  7. Jul 9

    What Whitney Houston and Justin Bieber Can Teach Parents About Communication

    Hey everyone, This week’s episode is a solo episode, and it is all about two songs I cannot hear without thinking about communication. Whitney Houston’s How Will I Know and Justin Bieber’s What Do You Mean ​Now, yes, they were written about relationships, but every time I hear them, I think about the children and families I work with because in therapy and at home, these two questions can be so powerful. How will I know what your child wants if they do not show me or tell me?How will your child know what to say if we do not model it for them?What do they mean when they say “that thing” or point across the room? And how can we help them find the words without nagging, testing or making communication feel stressful? In this episode, I share how parents can use simple phrases like “How will I know?” and “What do you mean?” to support their child’s communication in everyday moments. ​We talk about: 💫 Helping children use more specific words💫 Modelling language instead of guessing💫 Supporting longer sentences naturally💫 Encouraging children to repair communication breakdowns💫 Why gestures, tone and showing matter💫 Helping children move beyond “that thing over there”💫 Using everyday moments to build communication ​This episode is a reminder that communication does not have to be complicated. Sometimes the simplest phrase can help a child pause, think, try again and use the words they already have. And sometimes, as adults, we need that reminder too.​We do not need perfect words. ​We just need to keep showing up, keep trying and keep creating opportunities for communication to grow. Grab a glass of wine and listen to the latest episode of Wine with Wita. Lots of love, Rita x 🌿 Connection Creates Communication Wondering what to do while you wait for speech therapy? Connection Creates Communication is my new 6-week program for parents of children aged 0–5, designed to give you practical, everyday strategies to support your child's communication at home.   👉 Learn more & Join: Connection Creates Communication    Questions? Email rita@rsspeechpathology.com.au or send me a DM on Instagram.   P.S.: follow me on ⁠Instagram⁠ for more tips, insights and updates 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.

  8. Jul 2

    Raising a Child with Autism: What Communication Really Looks Like

    Hey everyone,   This week, I am joined by Maha Corbett, co-founder of SWIISH, wellness advocate, author and mum of two.  Together, we talk about motherhood, raising neurodivergent child and the practical and heartfelt lessons Maha has learnt while supporting her son Joshua, who has adiagnosis of level three autism. Maha shares openly about the early signs she noticed,including speech delay, sensory differences and the period of Googling, questioning and wondering what her child needed. She also shares how speech therapy became one of the firststeps in their journey, and how she learnt that communication is about so much more than speech alone. It is about regulation, connection, understanding andsupporting the whole child. ​We talk about: 💫 Early signs of autism and speech delay 💫 Why communication is more than just talking 💫 The importance of nervous system regulation 💫 Working with speech therapists, OTs and educators as a team 💫 Advocating for your child across different environments 💫 Asking for help in ways that actually support you 💫 Celebrating small wins, not just focusing on challenges This episode is such a beautiful reminder that every child’scommunication journey looks different. It is also a reminder that the small wins are never really small. ​ These moments matter because they show growth, connection and possibility. And sometimes, when so much of the journey can focus on what a child cannot yet do, we need to pause and celebrate what they can. Lots of love, Rita x   🌿 Connection Creates Communication Wondering what to do while you wait for speech therapy? Connection Creates Communication is my new 6-week program for parents of children aged 0–5, designed to give you practical, everyday strategies to support yourchild's communication at home.   👉 Learn more & Join: Connection Creates Communication    Questions? Email rita@rsspeechpathology.com.auor send me a DM on Instagram.  P.S.: follow me on ⁠Instagram⁠ for more tips, insights and updates   Disclaimer: the purpose of this podcast is to provideinformation. 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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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, each episode brings together expert advice, lived experiences and real family stories. With warmth, honesty and connection, Wine with Wita helps families feel informed, empowered and less alone. So SIP back, relax and enjoy the show!

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