Find support and community near you. Use the NSA Chapter Locator to connect with local stuttering support groups and people who understand. Our Chapters Our network of local chapters are powerful spaces where you can connect directly with your local stuttering community. No matter what point you’re at in your stuttering journey, experience the life-changing power of attending a local chapter where you can share your story, bond with fellow people who stutter and allies, and embrace the support of our ever-growing community. Find Your Chapter Use our interactive map or search by location to browse our extensive network of vibrant chapters across the United States. Find a Chapter What Are NSA Chapters? Learn all about our chapters, what they can do for you, and how to get involved. Learn More Chapter Leader Toolkit NSA Chapter leaders can explore various resources and materials for their chapters. View Toolkit chapter map Chapter Locator Map Use the Chapter Locator map below to find the chapter closest to you. Search by your address, zipcode, or Type of Chapter Meeting. what are NSA Chapters Types of NSA Chapters Adult Chapters Adult Chapters are open to adults who stutter, their families, allies, SLPs, and community members. Meetings focus on shared experiences, discussion topics led by Chapter Leaders, and peer support in a respectful, judgment-free space. Family Chapters Family Chapters support children and teens who stutter (ages 7–17) and their families. These chapters create opportunities for young people to connect with peers who stutter while participating in engaging, age-appropriate activities. Parents or caregivers are encouraged to participate and are required to remain with their children. New Family Chapters are forming regularly, so if you don’t see one near you, check back often. Interested in Starting or Leading a Chapter? Starting or leading an NSA chapter is often easier than expected, and you won’t do it alone. Our team provides guidance, tools, and ongoing support throughout the process. Adult Chapters: Contact Tanya Banks Family Chapters: Contact Sarah Onofri Frequently Asked Questions Have questions about meeting schedules, who can attend, or how to get involved? Visit our FAQ section for quick answers and helpful guidance on making the most of your NSA chapter experience. View FAQs

The NSA provides support, resources, and advocacy for people who stutter. Discover connection and community across the nation. If You Stutter, You Are Not Alone 79 Million People Stutter Worldwide The National Stuttering Association believes in a more accepting and understanding world for people who stutter. JOIN OUR COMMUNITY How We Help We’re here for every part of the journey. From Local Chapters to national events, we create spaces where people who stutter feel seen, supported, and proud of who they are. We also raise awareness, educate the public, and help fuel scientific research to shape a better future for our community. LEARN MORE Who We Help We support people who stutter, their families, SLPs, students, educators, and employers, offering resources, support groups, and educational tools. PEOPLE WHO STUTTER FAMILIES SLPs STUDENTS Support The NSA Support isn't one-size-fits-all. Whether you care most about kids finding their voice or adults reclaiming theirs, there's a way to give that feels just right for you. Pick your passion. Fuel the mission. MAKE A DIFFERENCE Find Your People You were never meant to figure this out alone. Our support groups are where life-changing connections happen and stuttering feels a little less heavy. GET CONNECTED MEET THE TEAM Latest Resources Upcoming Events Columbus, OH, Family Chapter Meeting Thu, Oct 15 Ohio State - Pressey Hall - Room 99 MORE INFO LEARN MORE Multiple Dates NSA Women Connect Thu, Oct 15 Virtual Event MORE INFO RSVP ISAD Barnes & Noble Fundraiser Sat, Oct 17 Barnes & Noble (US Locations Only) MORE INFO LEARN MORE Multiple Dates NSA Teen Talk Sun, Oct 18 Virtual Event MORE INFO RSVP Multiple Dates NSA Connects Bil Arabi: Discovering Our Voice Tue, Oct 20 Virtual Event MORE INFO RSVP Workplace Advocacy Your Way: Creating the 2027 Bingo Board Wed, Oct 21 Webinar MORE INFO RSVP Food For Thought - What Does International Stuttering Awareness Mean To Us? Thu, Oct 22 Virtual Event MORE INFO RSVP Lafayette, LA Chapter ISAD Bowling Night Thu, Oct 22 Rock-n-Bowl MORE INFO LEARN MORE Multiple Dates NSA Connects with Passing Twice Thu, Oct 22 Virtual Event MORE INFO RSVP NSA SoCal ISAD Open Mic Thu, Oct 22 Moongoat’s Venue Space Costa Mesa MORE INFO LEARN MORE Load More Featured Videos to Inspire and Educate Play Video Play Video Play Video Play Video Play Video Play Video Play Video Play Video Play Video Play Video Play Video Play Video Load More Join Our Community Be the first to hear about events, resources, and community updates. Join our mailing list today. SUBSCRIBE NOW

Looking for stuttering support? Use the NSA Chapter Locator to connect with local groups, meet others who stutter, and find community. Congratulations! You’ve taken the incredible first step on your journey by connecting with your local NSA Chapter. The backbone of the NSA, our local chapters are powerful spaces where you can connect directly with your local stuttering community. No matter what point you’re at in your stuttering journey, experience the life-changing power of attending a local chapter where you can share your story, bond with fellow people who stutter and allies, and embrace the support of our ever-growing community. Chapter Locator Map Use the Chapter Locator map below to find the chapter closest to you. Search by your address, zipcode, or Type of Chapter Meeting.

Active & Previously Approved Stuttering Research Studies The National Stuttering Association (NSA) reviews and approves stuttering-related research studies to help ensure ethical standards, transparency, and respect for people who stutter. This page includes a regularly updated list of active stuttering research studies currently recruiting participants, as well as previously approved studies whose approval periods have concluded. Inclusion on this list indicates that a study has been reviewed by the NSA Research Committee. It does not imply endorsement of specific findings or outcomes. Active Stuttering Research Studies (Currently approved and recruiting participants) RESEARCH TITLE RESEARCHER(S) EXPIRES Effects of Psilocybin on Speech Fluency, Struggle, and Brain activity in People who Stutter Dr. Eric Jackson 11/05/2026 Childhood Stuttering: Risk Factors to Social Anxiety Dr. Kim Bauerly 10/11/2027 The Impact of Acceptance of Stuttering on the Use of Fluency Strategies in Adults Who Stutter Seabrook Easterling 10/11/2027 Social Network Analysis of Youth who Stutter Dr. Naomi Rodgers 10/11/2027 Neural Mechanisms Of Socially Driven Variability in Stuttering Courtney Luckman 10/11/2027 Self-Disclosure and Psychological Resilience in Adults Who Stutter: A Mixed-Methods Study of Relationships, Influencing Factors, and Lived Experiences Ladan Khoshbin 07/31/2027 Urinary Metabolic Profiles in Adults Who Stutter: A Descriptive Study of Biological Diversity Dr. Gregory Snyder 06/29/2027 Speech Accessibility Project – Stuttered Speech Collection for Inclusive Speech AI Dr. Shaomei Wu 06/18/2027 Discussing Observable Disability Survey Dr. Kathleen Bogart 06/17/2027 Dopamine and sensorimotor function in stuttering Dr. Hantao Wang 03/31/2027 OratorSync: Exploring the Types, Causes, and Treatments of Stuttering while Developing and Testing AI Tools to Help Mitigate it Ojas Desai (High School Scholar) 12/21/2026 Relationship Between Stuttering and Intimate Partner Violence Leah Mumpower 03/08/2027 Coping Flexibility and Psychosocial Well-being of Adults Who Stutter Sadaf Salehi 02/22/2027 Hot and Cool Executive Function of Children Who Do and Do Not Stutter Matt Hopper 02/17/2027 Career Advice Reported by People Who Stutter Samiksha Gaur 02/17/2027 Self-help for stuttering: More than mutual aid Molly Stevenson 02/17/2027 Stuttering and Sleep: Does it Matter? Kenzie Beard 02/17/2027 Neural and Behavioral Error Responses in Adults who Stutter Shogo Honda 02/17/2027 Exploring Adults’ Lived Experiences of Stuttering Through a Trauma-Informed Lens Dr. Naomi Rodgers 02/17/2027 Network Connectivity and Temporal Processing in Adolescents Who Stutter Dr. Shanley Treleaven 2/23/2026 Audiovisual Integration in People Who Stutter Dr. David Jenson 6/22/2026 Systematic client feedback in speech-language treatment Dr. Kerry Ebert 6/5/2026 Development of authentic avatars for clinical education in stuttering Dr. Shelley Brundage 6/5/2026 Social Anxiety, Worry, and the Experience of Stuttering Dr. Seth Tichenor 6/5/2026 Genetic and metabolic bases of developmental stuttering Dr. Joan Orpella 6/22/2026 Linguistic preferences in adults who stutter Dr. Mahmoud Elsherif 10/16/2026 Stuttering in Daily Life Research Study Dr. Jeanne Nakamura 12/31/2026 Acceptance as Agency: Rethinking Fluency Strategy Use in Adults Who Stutter Seabrook Easterling, Jennifer Atkins M.S., CCC-SLP, and Xia Jing, M.D. & Ph.D. 11/1/2026 If you have any questions about the research process or would like to know more about a specific project, please contact the NSARC Chair Angela Medina, Ph.D., CCC-SLP. Previously Approved Recruitment Projects (2022–2025) (Approval period has ended) Research Title Researcher(s) Approved Until Listener Perception and Childhood Stuttering Haley Warner 5/01/2025 Quantifying Variability in Stuttering in the Real World Dr. J. Scott Yaruss 6/14/2025 Social Network Analysis in Adults Who Stutter Dr. Naomi Rodgers 6/14/2025 Impact of Support Group Conferences on Teens Joy Kling 6/16/2025 AI Accessibility for People Who Stutter Dr. J. Scott Yaruss 6/17/2025 Parent Survey: Preschoolers Who Stutter Ryan Millager 10/22/2025 Real-Time Listener Reactions & Stuttering Courtney Margulis 10/22/2025 Sequencing & Initiation in Speech Production Dr. Frank Guenther 10/22/2025 Hope, Humor & Self-Stigma in Adults Who Stutter Dr. Laura Plexico 10/22/2025 Stuttering Mindsets Megan Arney 10/28/2025 An online compassionate imagery intervention for people who stutter/stammer: A feasibility study Benjamin Farmer 9/30/2025 Rhythm Production and Processing in Children and Adults Who Stutter Janina Boecher 10/22/2024 Exploring Sensorimotor and Interoceptive Awareness in Stuttering Hazel Malcolm 10/22/2024 Multiple Stigmas, Social Identities, and Stuttering Dr. James Mancinelli 10/22/2024 Temporal Processing in Adults Who Stutter Samira Anderson 10/22/2024 Parents of Individuals Who Stutter: Experiences & Stages of Change Sadaf Salehi 10/22/2024 Acknowledging Stuttering with Preschoolers Dr. Cara Singer 10/22/2024 Social Isolation and the Experience of Stuttering Seth Tichenor 10/22/2024 Transitions to Life After High School Dr. Naomi Rodgers 06/22/2024 Migrants to the U.S. Who Stutter Dr. Victoria Reynolds 06/20/2024 Effectiveness of a Mindfulness App Juhee Kim 06/20/2024 Variability in Fluency and Psychological Impact Eddie Brown 06/19/2024 Trait Mindfulness and the Experience of Stuttering Megan Arney 06/19/2024 Anticipation of Stuttering and the PAiS Robert Bies 02/22/2024 Understanding the Experience of Stuttering and Cluttering Dr. J. Scott Yaruss 06/14/2024 Neural Oscillations and Speech Perception in Stuttering Dr. Shanley Treleaven 06/20/2024 What Do People Who Stutter Want From Speech Therapy? Matthew Phillips 07/24/2024 Linguistic and Cognitive Factors in Stuttering Dr. Zoi Gkalitsiou 02/22/2024 Spanish-Language Support Group Study Dr. Angela Medina 02/14/2024 For any questions about research, or to learn more about specific projects, please contact the NSARC Chair Angela Medina, Ph.D., CCC-SLP.

Contributor: Kerri Berard, MS, CCC-SLP One of the most frustrating parts of stuttering is that it can feel unpredictable. You may speak freely in one conversation and struggle in the next. You may be able to talk easily with a close friend, then find it harder to say your name, answer a question in class, order food, introduce yourself at work, or speak on the phone. For people who stutter and the people who love them, this can raise a lot of valid questions: Why does stuttering increase or decrease across days? Why does it change depending on the person, place, or situation? Why can someone say a word once, then get stuck on that same word later? The answer is relatively straightforward: Stuttering isn’t a fixed or universal experience. It changes because communication is influenced by many factors, including the body, brain, emotions, the environment, pressure, fatigue, and a person's state of mind at that moment. And none of that means a person who stutters is doing anything wrong. Read: What Is Stuttering? Read: Causes of Stuttering Why does stuttering change day-to-day? Some days, speech may come easier. On other days, words may take more time. A person might stutter more when they are excited, nervous, rushed, interrupted, or trying to say something important. They may also stutter more in situations where they feel watched, judged, or under pressure to speak quickly. This variability is one of the reasons stuttering can be so misunderstood. When someone has a fluent moment, others may assume they can control their stutter. When they stutter more, people may assume something is wrong, that they are anxious, or that they are not trying hard enough. But stuttering isn’t a choice, nor is it something a person can turn on or off. Why do people stutter more in some situations? Many people who stutter find that their speech changes with shifts in pressure. Pressure can look like: Having to speak in front of a group Being asked to introduce yourself Needing to answer quickly Speaking to someone in authority Saying your name Making a phone call Being interrupted Trying not to stutter This doesn’t mean stuttering is caused by nerves or anxiety. It means that speech is complex and pressure can make an already complex situation feel even more so. Read: Facts About Stuttering Read: Myths About Stuttering Can stuttering get worse when someone is tired? Absolutely. In general, talking takes energy. For people who stutter, it can sometimes be more draining, especially when they are having blocks, repetitions, tension, avoidance, or carrying the emotional weight of past negative speaking experiences. Stuttering may increase when someone is: Tired Overwhelmed Sick or ill Stressed Hungry Overstimulated Mentally drained A child who stutters may speak more easily in the morning and stutter more after a long school day. An adult may feel more fluent in a relaxed meeting and less so after a demanding week. All of this is completely normal and part of the stuttering experience. Why can someone say a word once but stutter on it later? People often wonder why someone might stutter on their own name or a sentence they have said many times before. But stuttering is about how speech is produced in that moment, not about not knowing what to say. A person often knows exactly what they want to say and can still have difficulty getting the word(s) out. That can be frustrating, especially when the word is familiar or important. This is why comments like “just slow down,” “take a breath,” or “you said it fine earlier” are generally unhelpful. Check this out: Free Printable Brochures & Resources About Stuttering Read: Simple, Supportive Ways to Talk to Children About Stuttering What should I do when someone is stuttering? The way people respond to stuttering can affect how safe a speaking situation feels. A patient, accepting listener can make communication feel easier. A listener who interrupts, finishes sentences, looks uncomfortable, or gives unwanted advice can make a person feel more pressure. That pressure doesn’t necessarily cause stuttering, but it can make the moment harder to speak openly. There is no one-size-fits-all answer, but here are some supportive ways to respond: Give the person time to finish their own thoughts Keep natural eye contact Don’t finish their sentences (unless they ask you to) Focus on the message, not the speech Avoid telling them to slow down, breathe, or relax Create spaces where stuttering is accepted, not treated as a problem to hide For parents, teachers, friends, coworkers, and family members, understanding the variability of stuttering can help reduce shame and pressure. Instead of asking, “Why are you stuttering so much today?” We suggest asking, “How can I make this conversation easier for you?” For people who stutter, it can also help to connect with others who understand. Community can be life-changing because it reminds people they are not alone, even on the hardest days. At the National Stuttering Association (NSA), we have several ways you can connect with others who understand, such as virtual events, NSA Chapters, and regional and annual conferences, at WeStutter.org. While there is no single stuttering experience, the day-to-day changes in stuttering variability are real and valid. The emotional impact, too. That’s why support is so important. One of the best things listeners can do is give the person time. Listen to what they are saying, not how it sounds or how long it takes them to say it. If you stutter, you are not alone At the NSA, we believe that people who stutter should not have to face these experiences alone. Through community, education, advocacy, and support, we help create spaces where stuttering is understood, accepted, and respected. A person who stutters may sound different from one day to the next, but one truth stays the same: If you stutter, you are not alone. To learn more and to get involved with the NSA, visit WeStutter.org.

Written by Olga Bednarski Editor's note: Olga’s submission has been edited for clarity. I used to experience speaking as if I were sitting in an exam. Every conversation had a predetermined outcome, standard, and expectation. Every phone call was a test. Every introduction, question, or social interaction was an opportunity to either succeed or fail. The strange thing was that the exam and my frantic preparation for it often started long before I actually opened my mouth. If I knew I was going to meet someone, answer a question, or speak in a group, my mind would start rehearsing. I searched for the "right" words and imagined exactly how I would say them: at what speed, on a full breath or an empty one, while smiling or keeping my face neutral. I dissected every tiny aspect of my speaking experience, anticipating where I might get stuck and how I would handle it if I did. Then my mind produced scenarios. I could see myself running out of breath or getting stuck on a word. I could feel the silence of a block. I imagined people giving me funny looks or turning away in discomfort. I tried to read their minds, judging them while judging myself. Without realizing it, I was rehearsing to fail, creating an internal movie of my own failure and playing it on repeat. I was essentially priming myself for the very experience I was desperately trying to avoid. It was a horror film that only a person who stutters could fully comprehend. I was both the protagonist and the audience member watching myself fail. The exam had begun and I hadn't even entered the room yet. Looking back, I can see how much energy went into trying to make speaking go "right." How did I sound? Was I fluent enough? Did they notice I was "different"? Did I swap that word quickly enough? I thought I was trying to communicate and avoid being "found out" as an impostor in a world of perfect speakers. But I wasn't communicating; I was performing. There was an invisible audience in my head, even when nobody was judging me. The more I tried to control it, the less natural and more stress-provoking it became. Think about driving: If you are a hyper-anxious driver, constantly anticipating everything that could go wrong and micromanaging every movement, you don't become safer. You become tense. The journey becomes exhausting for you and uncomfortable for your passenger. Speaking was exactly like that for me. Underneath it all was one rigid assumption: My speech must be fluent and perfect. I must not lose control. The funny observation I made, looking back, is that I even tried to hide my breathing while speaking because I didn't want to give away my agitation or nervousness. One of the biggest things I wish I had understood earlier is that I was playing a game with my speech: How well can I speak? Every interaction gave me a score. Sometimes the score felt good; sometimes it felt devastating. Either way, I was trapped inside my own bizarre performance. I was not fully with the other person—I was watching myself be with them. No wonder social interaction felt so draining, both mentally and physically. Then something began to change. I became interested not only in how I spoke, but also in my relationship with speaking. What if I didn’t have "to win"? What if speaking wasn't an exam or performance? What if I could speak, stumble, pause, lose my words for a moment—and remain completely unfazed by it, carrying on with what I wanted to say, knowing I was still completely worthy of being heard? I gave myself permission to take up space, have an opinion, and speak before I had perfectly prepared what I was going to say. I started to feel more at home in my own world, more at peace, and discovered a true sense of belonging. I reconciled with the fact that I might be imperfect and that it was no reason to feel bad or "less than." Once that performance pressure eased, I could breathe. I could listen and hear the other person instead of being consumed by the particulars of my own performance. The social anxiety that haunted me for years lessened significantly, and as a result, my social life improved. I now wanted to meet new people—something I would not easily agree to do before, even if you paid me. Because I had stopped controlling, surveying, and creating so much stress and tension, I soon found myself getting carried away by conversations and actually enjoying speaking. I became completely consumed by the conversation itself—just enjoying it, fully present. Most of the time, there would be no trace of stuttering; in those moments, I had forgotten how to stutter. No one would ever suspect I had stuttered because my focus was entirely on the connection. The speech performance stopped being the central piece on the stage of my life—it moved into the background where it always belonged. If you stutter, you may have spent years trying to fix the moment of speech: the word, the block, the breath, the technique. But what happens if we look one step earlier? If speaking has become an exam, the struggle isn't only happening during the moment you speak—it begins with the belief that you are being tested. What if you stopped playing that game? Instead of asking, "How perfectly fluent can I be, or how can I avoid stuttering?", what if you asked: How freely can I speak? How fully can I participate? How present can I be? How willing am I to let another person hear me exactly as I am? Freedom does not begin with perfect speech. It begins when speaking no longer feels like a test.