Conversations with Olwen
So many people are struggling. Children and parents too, are struggling with increased Mental Health challenges. On this podcast, founder of BackChat Speech Pathology, Olwen Forker talks to a range of experts – including Mums – to discuss causal factors for this. Olwen will share her own experience raising three boys during the last two decades, through some of the biggest changes in society. This podcast will be open, vulnerable, and very real. It is going to ruffle feathers, as the experts – Mums - and Olwen, explore these societal changes and how they’ve affected our parenting and our children. Especially when parenting children with additional needs. Conversations with Olwen is here for every parent – especially our Mums – to take something away to apply, to our own parenting experience.
Episodes
In this episode, Olwen shares her TOP 8 tips for what she would do NOW here in Queensland, to address the rising levels of disadvantage, illiteracy levels and behavioural issues in schools. And her answer is not more Speech Pathologists.
“A mile wide” is a phrase Olwen hears often about the school curriculum. She takes it one step further in this BackChat Bite, to discuss how a Cost of Living crisis - with both parents now working - has impacted on our children, especially disadvantaged little ones, to such a degree that it is causing huge illiteracy and other learning delays.
Another wonderful Mum from the BackChat Village – Carly, shares her story – about her little guy and his struggles. Diagnosed initially with a Global Developmental Delay, this Mum and Teacher knew in her gut that something else was going on!
Produced by The Podcast Boss
Teachers are the backbone of our society. They care for our children daily, and the expectations placed upon them, are becoming more complex and excessive with every year. In this bite, Olwen tackles this issue head-on with a highly experienced Teacher.
Produced by The Podcast Boss
The universal healthcare system in Australia aka NDIS, has provided many families with loads of funds to access Therapy and Therapists. But a system is only as strong as the clinical experience of the people working within it.
Produced by The Podcast Boss
If there is one thing Olwen ‘gets’ it’s that some children cannot do well when they can. They need some Specialist level help, to get to the ‘when.’ In a career spanning over two decades – and as a Mum - Olwen has stayed across advances in Neuroscience, Psychology and Child Development, and now works closely with Specialists to help guide & to support families with Neurodivergent children, seek specialised level care.
Working Memory. It is not an area we touch on nor discuss. But we need to. Desperately. Particularly with our boys. With literacy rates dropping nationwide, a reduction in play and increase in screen time, this area is of huge concern to Olwen.
Produced by The Podcast Boss
It is one of those tricky conversations, but as a Mum of three boys, Olwen shares how boys change during these ‘testing times’ of development. A great bite for every boy Mum, or Mum who is concerned about her little one’s personality and how it may alter with age. And Testosterone.
Produced by The Podcast Boss
Social media and the news are FULL of violence against women stories. Well, let me share some stories, from a paediatric clinic of the struggles Mums experience, in getting help for their dysregulated little boys.
Produced by The Podcast Boss
The introduction of a universal health care system AKA NDIS has monetised early intervention in this country and many vulnerable families fall prey to many unscrupulous providers. But what about people who are ‘rorting’ the system? Olwen shares a few stories she’s heard in this bite.
Produced by The Podcast Boss
Another wonderful Mum from the BackChat Village – Carly, shares her story – about her little guy and his struggles. Diagnosed initially with a Global Developmental Delay, this Mum and Teacher knew in her gut that something else was going on!
Produced by The Podcast Boss
Sharing our stories to help struggling Mum with hers, is what we are all about within at The BackChat Clinic. Today Cathy – one of our AMAZING Mums – is going to share her story in the hope, that it helps someone else.
Produced by The Podcast Boss
Olwen’s favourite piece of advice kicks off the BackChat Bites.
For any Mum second guessing themselves right now, this one is for you.
Produced by The Podcast Boss
The BackChat ‘Mumma’ Village, is by far the best part of our clinic.
We are a group of empathetic, educated, empowered Mums who will stop at nothing to help our own child – and to support and be there – for another Mum on the journey.
In this episode, we hear from Mums talk about everything; from their grief, the effort that goes in everyday to supporting their child and how crucial it is to have the right team, on your journey...
Olwen describes two very parallel lives - lived by two little boys - William and Billy.
Two young boys that are neurologically the same, typical busy boys, but their home life and early experiences, has a critical difference on their whole of life outcomes. One child could be described as a ‘have’ while the other could be described as a ‘have not.’
And with a twist, that must be heard to be believed, this will be one of Olwen’...
Our children are more sedentary and have less life experiences than ever before. Less movement and experiences, less play, more screen time and more sitting down.
Olwen explores this from a brain development perspective, based on her clinical and her own personal journey with one of her sons. And how a very wise Paediatrician explained to her, the importance of play.
Produced by The Podcast Boss
The most topical theme in the media at present, is Screen Time in our children.
Olwen controversially tackles it head on, discussing its impact on our children from her perspective as a Mum and paediatric Therapist, that’s worked with kids well before, the introduction of ‘smart phones’ almost two decades ago.
Produced by The Podcast Boss
More and more children across the globe, are accessing long hours in child care away from family during those critical early years.
Using evidence-based research, Olwen discusses how this system impacts on early brain development. And literacy rates. She also highlights the effect that this ‘warehousing’ care system has, on all children – but in particular – our dysregulated little boys.
Produced by The Podcast Boss
This episode introduces Olwen, a Mum of three boys and paediatric SLP with 25 years’ experience. The depth of knowledge she holds in this area, the paediatric early intervention space working with Neurodivergent children, means she is a voice worth listening to.
Her insights, reflections, and clinical observations on children, during a career spanning over two decades, make her a must listen for every Mum, Educator and Teacher.
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