Hey everyone,

This week’s episode is inspired by something I use often in the therapy room… a simple reminder that communication is more than words.

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We so often focus on what children say… but not always on what they are showing us.

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In this episode, I unpack how much meaning is carried through tone, gestures, and facial expression, and how these can completely change the way a child understands and communicates.

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Because for many children, especially those with communication difficulties, words alone are not enough.

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I talk about:
💫 Why communication is about what we show, not just what we say
💫 How tone of voice can completely change meaning
💫 The power of pointing and gestures in building understanding
💫 How facial expressions help children interpret emotions and messages
💫 Simple, practical ways you can support your child’s communication every day
💫 Why these small shifts can create stronger connection and confidence

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This episode is a gentle reminder that communication is a shared experience. And sometimes, the smallest changes in how we show up can make the biggest difference.

Lots of love,

Rita

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P.S.: follow me on Instagram for more tips, insights and updates.

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​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.

Hey everyone,

This week, I am joined by Carol and Karen for a deeply powerful and perspective-shifting conversation about what it truly means to create a full life for individuals with disabilities.

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Carol shares her lived experience raising her daughter Maddie, who has Down syndrome, and the intentional decisions that shaped her independence, confidence, and outlook on life.

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From the very beginning, Carol made one thing clear… she would never focus on what Maddie couldn’t do, only what she could.

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Now 32, Maddie’s life is a reflection of that belief.

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Karen, CEO of Greenacres Disability Services, brings another layer to this conversation, sharing how meaningful employment, community, and opportunity can completely transform outcomes for individuals and families.

Together, this episode goes far beyond a diagnosis.

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It is about identity, independence, and what becomes possible when we raise expectations and truly support individuals to thrive.

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We talk about:
💫 The power of focusing on ability over disability
💫 How one belief helped Maddie learn she can do hard things
💫 The difference between having a job and having a life
💫 How Greenacres creates real opportunities, purpose, and community
💫 Why independence, even when it feels uncomfortable, matters so much
💫 The importance of raising expectations to create possibility

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A beautiful reminder that when we believe in what someone can do, and give them the right environment to grow… the outcomes can be far greater than we ever imagined.

Follow along with Greenacres Disability Services &
​IMAGINE Homewares & Hampers or visit their website here to learn more!

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Lots of love,

Rita

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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.

Hey everyone,

This week, I share a heartfelt solo episode on a phrase I hear so often in the therapy room… “This is not what I expected for my child.”

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We unpack the emotional weight behind this and the reality so many parents face after a diagnosis. The grief of unmet expectations, the uncertainty, and the quiet moments where everything feels overwhelming.

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Because often, it is not just the diagnosis that is hard. It is the shift in the future you once imagined.

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I talk about:
💫 The impact of expectations and how they can lead to disappointment
💫 The emotional reality parents experience after a diagnosis
💫 Why early support and understanding can change everything
💫 The importance of letting go of the child you expected and embracing the child in front of you
💫 How children with additional needs teach families a deeper level of compassion and connection
💫 Why celebrating small moments and strengths creates a more empowering path forward

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This episode is a gentle reminder that while the journey may look different, it is still filled with meaning, growth, and moments of joy you may not have expected.

Lots of love,

Rita

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P.S.: follow me on Instagram for more tips, insights and updates.

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​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.

Hey everyone,

This week, I am joined by Simon and Rima for a deeply personal and heartfelt conversation about raising their son Jayden following his autism diagnosis.

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Jayden was one of my very first clients. I met him when he was just two years old, and from the very beginning, he taught me the power of connection, following a child’s interests, and truly meeting them where they are.

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Now 16, his impact reaches far beyond those early years.

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Simon and Rima open up about the reality so many parents face after a diagnosis… the emotions, the uncertainty, and the challenge of sharing that news with others. Because often, it is not just the diagnosis that is hard. It is everything that comes with it.

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This episode is a beautiful reminder that with the right support, faith, and guidance, the journey can shift in ways you never expected.

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We talk about:
💫 The emotions that come with receiving and sharing a diagnosis
💫 What support really looked like for their family
💫 How Jayden shaped their family’s perspective and strength
💫 The role faith and guidance played in their journey
💫 How his sisters, including his twin Renee, found motivation through him
💫 The beauty of connection and following a child’s lead

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A powerful reminder that while the journey may not look how you first imagined, it can be filled with strength, connection, and so much love.

Follow along with Simon and Rima!

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Lots of love,

Rita

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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.

Hey everyone,

This week, I am joined by Taylah Ayyash, a health advocate who shares her lived experience with anaphylaxis, epilepsy, Bell’s Palsy, Ramsay Hunt syndrome, and temporary paralysis.

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Taylah opens up about growing up with learning difficulties and silent seizures that went undiagnosed for years, often labelled as “easily distracted” or “off with the fairies”, when in reality there was something deeper going on.

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Her journey through sudden illness and life-changing moments reshaped her identity, teaching her the quiet strength found in vulnerability, honesty, and asking for help.

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We speak about how faith guided her through some of her most confronting moments, and the impact of having a medical team who saw her as a human, not just a case.

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In this episode, Taylah shares:
 * What it was like growing up with undiagnosed silent seizures
 * The impact of being misunderstood in school
 * Her experience navigating multiple health challenges
 * How faith grounded her in life-threatening moments
 * The importance of being seen as a person, not just a diagnosis
 * Why she chose to start sharing her story
 * The one word she is living by right now: patience

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A full circle moment, Taylah first came across my page and thought, “I would love to be interviewed one day”… and now she’s here, sharing her story to remind others they are not alone.

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A meaningful conversation about resilience, identity, and the power of using your story to help someone else feel seen.

​Learn more about Taylah Ayyash here!​
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Lots of love,

Rita

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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.

Hey everyone,

This week, I share a heartfelt solo episode on what it really means to create a village when raising a child with additional needs.

We unpack the reality that so many parents face after a diagnosis. Feeling lost, overwhelmed, and unsure where to turn for the right information and support. Because often, it is not just the diagnosis that is hard. It is the loneliness that can come with it.

This episode is a gentle reminder that you were never meant to do this alone. The right people, support, and shared experiences can completely shift the journey.

I talk about: 

💫 Why finding people with lived experience is so powerful 

💫 The emotional impact of feeling unheard or misunderstood 

💫 How a strong support network creates clarity and confidence 

💫 The difference between information and true understanding 

💫 Practical ways to start building your own village 

💫 Why connection can change the way you move forward

A reassuring reminder that there are people out there who understand. And when you find your village, everything starts to feel a little lighter.

Lots of love,

Rita

P.S.: follow me on Instagram for more tips, insights and updates.

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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.

Hey everyone,

This week, I am joined by Jordan Lee Ikitule, founder and CEO of ASD Dads and Ausim Kids Clothing, for a powerful conversation about fatherhood, community, and advocacy in the autism space.

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Jordan shares the deeply personal journey that led him to create ASD Dads after his own son was diagnosed with autism. What began as a simple post online quickly grew into a nationwide movement supporting fathers, mothers, and whānau raising children with autism.

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We also explore the importance of community, the challenges many fathers face when navigating an autism diagnosis, and how shared stories can create powerful support networks for families who often feel alone.

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In this episode, Jordan shares:
* The moment his son was diagnosed and the challenges that followed
 * How a single post online led to the creation of ASD Dads NZ
 * The mission behind building a support network for fathers and families
 * The events and initiatives created to raise awareness and bring families together
 * How Run 4 Autism is helping fund speech therapy and support services
* The expansion of ASD Dads internationally, including Japan and Australia
 *The creation of Ausim Kids | Autism Apparel – Love, Accept, Protect, using clothing and QR code safety technology to raise awareness and help keep autistic children safe

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A powerful conversation about turning personal experience into purpose, and how one father’s journey is now helping thousands of families feel seen, supported, and connected.

Click the links below to learn follow Jordan's ventures!
-Ausim Kids Clothing​

-Express Yourself NZ​

-Jordan's Insta​

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Lots of love,

Rita

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P.S.: follow me on Instagram for more tips, insights and updates.

This episode of Wine with Wita is proudly sponsored by Mindd Health and the Mindd International Forum, Australia’s leading conference for families and professionals supporting children with developmental differences.

I’ll be part of the panel this year, sharing practical strategies to support communication and engagement in children.

Listeners can use code SHAMOUN26 for 15% off registration. Grab your spot today via ⁠⁠https://mif26.mindd.org/mif26-registration-community/⁠

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.

Hey everyone,

My conversation this week with Lauren Tench is raw and powerful, in honour of Endometriosis Awareness Month.

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Lauren is 31, a mum of two, and has undergone 13 surgeries and a hysterectomy while living with endometriosis. She shares what it has been like navigating chronic pain, being dismissed in the medical system, and fighting to be heard.

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This episode is not just about a diagnosis. It is about advocacy, resilience, and what it means to keep showing up for yourself when others doubt your pain.

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In this episode, Lauren shares:
💫 What endometriosis really feels like beyond “bad period pain”
💫 Being dismissed and gaslit as a teenager
💫 The emotional toll of infertility fears and pregnancy after loss
💫 Why hysterectomy is not a cure
💫 The importance of finding doctors who truly listen
💫 What real support from partners and family looks like
💫 The one word she lives by: unstoppable

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A courageous and deeply important conversation that reminds us that women’s pain deserves to be believed, and that awareness begins with how we listen.

Follow Lauren here!​
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Lots of love,

Rita

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P.S.: follow me on Instagram for more tips, insights and updates.

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​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.

Hey everyone,

This week, I am joined by Ativalu Lisati, professional rugby league player for the Melbourne Storm, for a heartfelt conversation about family, communication, and advocacy.

​Ativalu shares what it means to be an uncle to his autistic nephew, how he has learned to understand his unique way of communicating, and how this journey has changed the way he sees the world.

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We also explore the cultural side of autism, including denial, language barriers, and the importance of raising awareness within Pacific Islander communities. A powerful reminder that connection does not always need words.

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In this episode, Ativalu shares:

💫 What he noticed first about his nephew’s communication and routines
💫 Why he sees autism as difference, not something to fear
💫 How he supports his brother and family through challenging moments
💫 The impact of cultural beliefs, denial, and language barriers
💫 Why awareness matters in Pacific Islander communities and multicultural families
💫 How he wants to use his platform in the NRL to create change
💫 The one word he is choosing to live by right now: faith

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A meaningful conversation that highlights the power of family support, cultural understanding, and advocacy that feels real, grounded, and human.

Learn more about Ativalu Lisati here!​
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Lots of love,

Rita

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P.S.: follow me on Instagram for more tips, insights and updates.

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​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.

Hey everyone,

This week, I share a heartfelt solo episode for parents who have ever quietly wondered if they have failed their child.

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We unpack the heavy weight of parental guilt, especially after a diagnosis or when health concerns evolve. Sometimes it is not about failure at all. It is about not having the right information at the right time. And when we know better, we can do better.

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This episode is a gentle reminder to release self-blame, lean into compassion, and recognise that learning and adjusting is part of the journey.

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I talk about:

• The emotional weight of saying “I feel like I’ve failed”
•  Why not knowing is not the same as failing
• Airway health, early intervention and trusting your instincts
• Trial and error in therapy and finding the right fit
•  The pressure parents carry after a diagnosis
•  Giving yourself grace while advocating for your child
• Why this journey is not a straight line

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A reassuring reminder that you have not failed your child. You are learning, advocating, adjusting and showing up. And that is what truly makes the difference.

Lots of love,

Rita

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P.S.: follow me on Instagram for more tips, insights and updates.

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​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.