What NSA Chapters Can Do for People Who Stutter

When you stutter, it’s easy to feel like you’re the only one. The general public may not understand stuttering, and that misunderstanding can leave people who stutter feeling isolated or invisible. But one thing truly changes everything: community.

At the National Stuttering Association (NSA), we know how powerful and impactful a community can be. The NSA community begins at the local level, in our chapters across the country, where people who stutter come together to be seen, heard, and understood.

Why NSA Chapters Matter

NSA Chapters are more than just “support groups.” These meetings are safe spaces where people who stutter of all ages and their families can be themselves without the pressure to be fluent. There is zero pressure to speak a certain way or an expectation to explain yourself. At NSA Chapter meetings, we engage in conversations, foster shared understanding, and create strength in numbers:

“I started my NSA Chapter in Exton, Pennsylvania, because there were no stuttering resources available in the Philadelphia suburbs. The nearest chapter was in Philadelphia and was for adults only. I created my Adults & Family chapter to show children that they can succeed as adults who stutter and to provide a safe space for PWS of all ages.” — Lexi Hewitt, NSA Exton

NSA Chapters provide emotional relief by reminding people who stutter that they are not broken, not defined by their fluency, and they’re not alone. For the first time in their life, they belong to something bigger—a community that finally understands them.

The Power of Shared Experience

Every time a person who stutters hears someone speak openly about their stuttering journey, it helps alleviate the heavy burden of shame and isolation. It can help create an environment for self-acceptance. 

NSA Chapter meetings are places where individuals practice saying their names without apologizing for stuttering, where people try public speaking in an encouraging environment, and where parents and caregivers learn that they don’t need to “fix” their child:

“I had a mother and father reach out to me with concerns for their child. They were worried because he was not socializing, was choosing to attend classes virtually, and was thinking of dropping out of school due to all the presentations he was supposed to give. This mother and father ended up attending my monthly meeting, and we had a lengthy discussion. They told me their son was reluctant to come to a meeting, so they would share my information with him and ‘we’ll see.’ He ended up reaching out, and we set up a day/time to meet for coffee. We chatted for about an hour on stuttering, college in general, presentations, life transitions, and the NSA Conference. He never came to an ‘official’ meeting, but he and his parents attended their first NSA Conference that year (in St. Louis). After the Conference, his mother told me on the drive home that they actually talked about stuttering, which is something they rarely did. She reported that she viewed stuttering in a different light now after hearing from others who stutter and their families.”  — Amanda Elias, Monroe, LA/RCC for Mid-Atlantic Region

More Than Just Monthly Meetings

Some people might think NSA Chapters are just for practicing various speaking situations, but they’re so much more than that. They are where lifelong friendships begin, hard conversations occur, and people feel heard and supported—sometimes for the first time in someone’s life:

“In 2012, I had searched the NSA website and found that there was an NSA Chapter in Morgantown, West Virginia. As a 400-mile round trip, it was far, but it was the closest NSA Chapter to me. I took half a day off work and made the drive… I seriously considered not attending the meeting; I could just drive back home, and no one would be the wiser. I finally talked myself into going in, and I’m glad I did. The meeting was great, it was the first time in my life that I was in a room with other people who stutter, and I must say it was life-changing. For the first time, I didn’t feel alone; I felt heard, not judged. For the first time, I knew that I wasn’t the only one trying to navigate stuttering on a day-to-day basis. I made the trip to Morgantown as much as I could for a year or so. I felt so validated, heard, and understood. I wanted to provide the same feeling to other people who stutter in my corner of West Virginia! I vowed to try to start an NSA Chapter in the Charleston/Huntington, West Virginia area someday. With the help of my Chapter Co-Leader, Dr. Jamie Maxwell, it finally happened.”  — Bryan Matthews, Charleston/Huntington, West Virginia

And thanks to virtual NSA Chapters and NSA Connects, geography is no longer a barrier. Anyone, anywhere, can find a space to connect with others who understand the stuttering experience.

A Place for Every Voice

We offer a range of NSA Chapters for adults, teens, and families, each bringing its own unique energy. What unites them all is the belief that people who stutter deserve spaces that validate and affirm them and help them thrive.

Some NSA Chapters focus on play and connection for kids. Others create a safe space for adults to unpack years of hiding and difficult experiences. Educators and speech-language pathologists (SLPs) can learn more about stuttering and how to best serve their students and clients who stutter. Family Chapters invite parents and siblings into the conversation, helping the whole household grow together.

“When I looked around my community, I realized there wasn’t an NSA Chapter for children who stutter, and I knew that if I wanted my daughter and other kids to have a supportive space, I would have to build it myself… Starting our NSA Chapter pushed me far beyond my comfort zone, but it also transformed me into a stronger and more compassionate advocate. The experience has allowed me to connect with families, raise awareness through public speaking, and create meaningful conversations within our community. Most importantly, it’s inspired me to keep learning about the diverse experiences of people who stutter, so that I can represent and serve this community in a positive, affirming, and empowering way.”  — Molly Portzel, Co-Chapter Leader of St. Louis Family Chapter

NSA Chapter Leaders: Leading with Courage & Compassion

Chapter Leaders are the heart of the NSA. They lead these groups with vulnerability and strength. Many are people who stutter themselves, using their experience to uplift others. Others are family members, SLPs, or allies committed to making a difference:

“I became a Family Chapter Leader because I wanted to connect with parents of children who stutter and show them that their kids will be just fine. I hoped to be an example that people who stutter can lead successful, meaningful lives while also encouraging parents to fully support and embrace their children.”  — Mitchell Portzel, Co-Chapter Leader, St. Louis Family Chapter

Leadership at the NSA isn’t about being fluent. Being a Chapter Leader is often a vulnerable experience when you lead and facilitate a conversation in a room full of strangers, but you demonstrate to your attendees that individuals who stutter can hold leadership roles! 

Why This Matters

When people who stutter find each other, shame fades, confidence grows, and a sense of belonging takes root. That’s what our NSA Chapters make possible for people who stutter across the nation. And it’s why they’re essential—not optional—for building a world where people who stutter are supported and empowered:

“It is tremendously valuable and freeing to be in a space with people who understand what it is like to live life with a stutter. We all have different backgrounds and experiences, and we even express our stutters differently, but there is a common thread that links us all together. The sense of community is priceless.”  — Lisa Greenleaf, Co-Chapter Leader, Boston Adult & Boston Family Chapters

Want to get involved?

• Find an NSA Chapter

• Interested in starting one? Learn more about becoming a Chapter Leader

• Support our work. Help us continue to build spaces where people who stutter feel seen and supported.

No one should have to navigate stuttering alone. And with your help, they won’t.