NSAW 2025: National Stuttering Acceptance Week

Next week is National Stuttering Awareness Week (NSAW), and we couldn’t be more excited to spotlight our community's powerful voices, stories, and faces!

As we sat down to plan this year’s campaign, we took a moment to reflect on what we truly want to achieve. Our mission is not only to increase awareness around stuttering; we are also deeply passionate about challenging the negative stereotypes, advocating for social change, and creating a world where stuttering is both understood and accepted.

That’s why this year, we’re embracing a shift. 

While the week is officially recognized as National Stuttering Awareness Week, we’re choosing to call it National Stuttering Acceptance Week. 

But why?

We’re so glad you asked. But first, a little background. 

The History of National Stuttering Awareness Week

This week's roots go back to 1986, when we were still known as the National Stuttering Project (NSP). That’s when the vision for a national week dedicated to raising awareness about stuttering began to take shape.

Thanks to the relentless determination and advocacy of Paul Castellano, who testified before several U.S. Congressional subcommittees, Barbara Koval, and many other passionate NSP members who rallied their representatives, then-President Ronald Reagan signed a proclamation in April 1988 officially designating the second week of May as National Stuttering Awareness Week.

(Source: Minnesota State University, Mankato)

But the party didn’t stop in 1988! Each year, the second week of May has remained a dedicated time to raise awareness and celebrate stuttering as a valid way of communicating. In 2025, we’re proud to mark the 37th annual National Stuttering Awareness Week!

We are grateful to the NSP members whose tireless advocacy brought National Stuttering Awareness Week to life. Their commitment in the early days paved the way for a week that has since raised national awareness, fought against stigma, and commemorated people who stutter in countless ways for decades. Without their vision and hard work, National Stuttering Awareness Week would not be what it is today. We honor the history that shaped it and are excited to witness its continued growth.

Looking Toward the Future

We remain committed to carrying forward the legacy the NSP members began, continuing to advocate for the stuttering community for generations to come. While the official designation remains “Awareness Week,” we’re intentionally shifting the language this year because we believe it’s time to move the needle forward. We aim to move beyond awareness and engage in deeper conversations that nurture understanding, respect, and acceptance of stuttering. We’re using awareness to drive acceptance.

You’re probably wondering where this shift in language came from. 

Again, we’re glad you asked! 

We’ve drawn inspiration from the Autism Society of America, which transitioned from “Awareness” to “Acceptance” in 2020. Their reasoning deeply resonated with us, and we’re proud to follow their lead. If you want to learn more, we strongly encourage you to read their article at autismparentingmagazine.com/autism-acceptance-vs-autism-awareness. In the meantime, please check out our campaign at WeStutter.org/NSAW to hear stories from people who stutter, learn how you can participate, and so much more.

Whether you want to call it National Stuttering Awareness Week or National Stuttering Acceptance Week, we urge you to join us in celebrating this meaningful week together as we continue pushing for a future where people who stutter are seen, heard, and fully accepted. 

And if you haven't already, please submit a video or picture to the NSA’s Wall of Pride that reflects your experience, support, or message about stuttering!