The Beginning
 

The National Stuttering Association, originally known as the National Stuttering Project (NSP), was founded in California by Bob Goldman and Michael Sugarman. Early efforts focused on community outreach, education, and advocacy, including the creation of local self-help groups for people who stutter. Today, the NSA maintains nearly 175 local support groups nationwide.

National Recognition
 

President Ronald Reagan signed a proclamation establishing the third week of May as National Stuttering Awareness Week (NSAW), significantly increasing public awareness and recognition of stuttering.

Bridging Research & Community
The NSA hosted its first joint symposium for scientists and consumers, titled Pioneering Stuttering Research in the 21st Century. The symposium focused on building partnerships and fostering collaboration between researchers, clinicians, and people who stutter.

40 Years of Impact
 

The NSA marked 40 years of bringing hope, support, and empowerment to people who stutter. This milestone reflected decades of growth, advocacy, education, and community impact.

Adaptation & Innovation
 

2020 was a year of global change and adaptation. The NSA launched the Generations Mentoring Program, pairing younger people who stutter with screened and vetted adult mentors. The organization hosted its first fully virtual Annual Conference, NSA@Home, welcoming more than 1,600 attendees from over 20 countries. Later that year, the NSA hosted a three-day Global Research Conference.

Measuring Impact & Inclusion
 

The NSA published its 2023 Impact Report, detailing accomplishments and measurable impact across the stuttering community. The organization also launched three new committees to strengthen inclusion and representation: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee, Professional Relations Committee, and Older Adults Committee.

Growth & Forward Momentum
 

The NSA experienced a year of meaningful growth and forward momentum, expanding its nationwide chapter network to 164 active chapters and welcoming more than 24,000 engaged community members. Through conferences, regional events, and virtual programming, thousands of PWS and their families found connection, education, and belonging. We also expanded programming for underrepresented groups and significantly increased public awareness, reaching more than 7.7 million people nationwide. With strong donor support, the NSA laid the groundwork for transformational initiatives launching in 2026, including a national public service announcement campaign and the development of the NSA Educational Portals for U.S. schools.

First Annual Conference
 

The NSA hosted its first Annual Conference, bringing together people who stutter for friendship, support, information, encouragement, motivation, and new perspectives. Over time, the Annual Conference became the world’s largest gathering of people who stutter, and the Conference Awards and Hall of Fame were established to recognise individuals who have made lasting contributions to the community.

National Expansion
 

The NSA continued expanding its national reach, strengthening its chapter network and reinforcing its role as a trusted source of education, advocacy, and support for people who stutter and their families across the country.

Global Awareness
 

The debut of The King’s Speech, the award-winning film depicting King George VI as a person who stutters, brought renewed global attention to stuttering. The film’s impact helped elevate public dialogue and understanding of stuttering worldwide.

New Initiatives
 

The NSA hosted Our Stuttering: Perspectives on Disability, Diversity, and Culture, a symposium held in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. In the same year, the NSA launched WeStutter@Work, an initiative focused on improving employment outcomes for people who stutter by addressing workplace stigma through education and advocacy.

Strategic Vision
 

Following a community-informed, participatory strategic planning process, the NSA Board of Directors approved a new five-year strategic plan. The plan focused on expanding access to NSA services, events, and resources, increasing visibility and awareness, positioning the organization for long-term success, and reimagining NSA chapters.

Invested in the Future
 

The NSA received an anonymous $250,000 operating grant to support continued growth and future impact. This funding strengthened the organization's ability to expand programming, support research, and deepen community engagement.