BECAUSE EVERY CHILD IS A LITTLE STAR............
servicing families since 2013
in the treatment of all
speech & language disorders
& stuttering
Dr Sarita K Hamall
Dr. Sarita K. Hamall, PhD
Director & Principal Speech Pathologist
Stuttering Specialist | International Educator | Clinical Mentor
Dr. Sarita K. Hamall is a leading Australian Speech Pathologist with over 25 years of clinical experience, specialising in the treatment of Stuttering across all age groups—from preschoolers to adults. As the Director and Founder of Little Star Speech Therapy in Broadmeadow, NSW Australia, Dr. Hamall is renowned for her compassionate, evidence-based approach and her dedication to empowering individuals through fluent communication.
Stuttering Specialist
Dr Sarita's Story
Clinical Expertise
Dr. Hamall is a qualified professional in the Lidcombe Program, a globally recognised early intervention treatment for childhood stuttering, for over 25 years.
In the school-age and adolescent population, Dr. Hamall offers specialised, multi-layered therapy that addresses the complex needs of this age group. Her approach combines evidence-based fluency strategies with cognitive-behavioural strategies to help manage the emotional and psychological impact of stuttering. She has also developed in-house programs that target resilience, communication confidence, and real-life speaking demands in the classroom and social settings.
Dr. Hamall’s therapy respects and empowers each individual’s communication identity. Rather than focusing solely on "fixing" speech, her interventions support autonomy, self-advocacy, and acceptance—particularly important during the formative adolescent years. Her clinical practice is grounded in research, with peer-reviewed publications and book chapters focused on school-age stuttering as listed below.
These works reflect Dr. Hamall’s longstanding commitment to advancing effective, developmentally appropriate stuttering treatment for older children.
Her clinic, Little Star Speech Therapy, is known for its personalised care, high treatment success rates, and commitment to inclusive, affirming therapy. All clinicians at the practice are trained in stuttering treatment, ensuring consistent, evidence-aligned outcomes across the team.
Academic Contributions
In 2012, Dr. Hamall earned her PhD from the University of Newcastle, where her research contributed significantly to the evidence base for early stuttering intervention.
Her doctoral thesis, titled "Treatment schedules in the delivery of the Lidcombe Program of early stuttering intervention," explored optimal treatment schedules for the Lidcombe Program. ogma.newcastle.edu.au
TEDx Speaker Dr Sarita K Hamall
Stuttering Treatment
TEDx Speaker
In 2011, Dr. Hamall delivered a TEDx talk titled "Treatment for Early Stuttering with the Lidcombe Program" at TEDxNewy. In this presentation, she shared insights from her research and clinical experience, highlighting the importance of early intervention in stuttering treatment.
International Educator
Dr. Hamall has shared her expertise globally, conducting workshops and training sessions for speech-language pathologists in countries including Taiwan, the United States, Canada, and Australia.
Her international teaching engagements have focused on early stuttering intervention strategies, particularly the application of the Lidcombe Program, thereby influencing clinical practices worldwide.
Leadership & Mentorship
With over 15 years of experience mentoring speech pathologists and students, Dr. Hamall is deeply committed to professional development within the field. She regularly provides clinical supervision and training, fostering the next generation of speech therapists.
Her leadership has been instrumental in expanding Little Star Speech Therapy from a solo practice to a multidisciplinary team of skilled clinicians. (littlestarspeechtherapy.com.au)
Community Engagement
Dr. Hamall is passionate about community outreach and education. She has been featured in local media and community profiles, such as New Lambton Village, highlighting her dedication to accessible and inclusive speech therapy services. (facebook.com)
Telehealth & Accessibility
Recognising the importance of accessibility, Dr. Hamall has integrated telehealth services into her practice, allowing clients from remote areas to receive quality speech therapy. This initiative has been particularly beneficial during periods requiring social distancing, ensuring uninterrupted care for clients. (littlestarspeechtherapy.com.au)
Selected Publications
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Koushik, S. (2012). Treatment schedules in the delivery of the Lidcombe Program of early stuttering intervention (Doctoral dissertation). University of Newcastle, Australia.
This PhD research explored the efficacy of different scheduling approaches in early stuttering treatment using the Lidcombe Program, contributing new evidence to guide clinical best practices. View dissertation ➝
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Koushik, S., Shenker, R., & Onslow, M. (2009). Follow-up of 6–10-year-old stuttering children after Lidcombe Program treatment: A Phase I trial. Journal of Fluency Disorders, 34(4), 279–290.
Read article ➝
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Harrison, E., Bruce, M., Shenker, R., & Koushik, S. (2010). The Lidcombe Program with school-age children who stutter. In Guitar, B., & McCauley, R. (Eds.), Treatment of Stuttering: Established and Emerging Approaches (pp. 150–166). Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
Publisher link ➝
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Shenker, R. C., & Koushik, S. (2013). Lidcombe Program with school-age children. In Onslow, M., & Jelčić Jakić, S. (Eds.), The Science and Practice of Stuttering Treatment: A Symposium (pp. 57–70). Wiley-Blackwell.
Publisher link ➝
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Koushik, S., Hewat, S., Onslow, M., Shenker, R., Jones, M., O'Brian, S., Packman, A., Menzies, R., Harrison, E., & Wilson, L. (2019). Three Lidcombe Program clinic visit options: A Phase II trial. Journal of Communication Disorders, 82, 105919.
Read article ➝
Personal Philosophy
Dr. Hamall’s approach to therapy is guided by deep empathy and a commitment to truly personalised care. She sees every client as a unique story unfolding and finds joy in each breakthrough—no matter how big or small. 'There is no greater happiness for me,' she says, 'than witnessing the courage and progress of every individual on their journey to confident, fluent communication.'"
