Learn how Ronan Miller,a person who stutters, achieved career success. Get inspired by their journey. Postdoctoral Research Assistant Ronan Miller Briefly describe your daily job duties. The project I am currently working on is focused on developing and testing a mobile app to support people who stutter. I feel very grateful to do research into stuttering and particularly into new ways that we can support the stuttering community around the world. My day is normally spent reading research conducted in various different areas, planning and organizing our next research study, and talking to people who stutter about their day-to-day lives and experiences. As a person who stutters, share the most challenging part of your job. I have daily meetings over video calls but they aren’t too much of a problem now, I have become accustomed to them after my time as part of the hosting team at Stutter Social. I think the most challenging part of my job is thinking of ways that we can support people who stutter in the present, whilst working to breakdown barriers so that stuttering won’t hold people back in the future. What are your long-term career aspirations? For many years I taught English as a foreign language and I would love to return to teaching again, particularly to support students who stutter. My dream is to work in some kind of super lab that combines stuttering research, activism, support, and teaching! Did you self-disclose your stuttering during the job hiring process? In lots of ways, stuttering is an advantage for me at this point in my life; I work with many other people who stutter and we talk about it openly on a daily basis. Whenever I meet anyone new I am also very open about stuttering, it is never a problem. I let people know my name, my position, that I stutter and that it’s no problem. I am aware some people have had no contact before with people who stutter, or don’t know how to respond to stuttering, so I feel a responsibility to let people know that this is how I speak and that it’s ok. Describe how stuttering makes you a better, more valued contributor at work. My stuttering is a valuable aspect of my contribution at work, it allows me to offer personal, lived insight and to connect with others who also stutter. It has also taught me that communication is not always straightforward, but that patience and respect go a long way to helping others (whether they stutter or not) to feel comfortable. What’s your best advice for people who stutter just entering the workplace and for those in a career striving to achieve greater success? I would encourage people to be open about their stuttering, it can be difficult but by doing so you demonstrate leadership, integrity, and resilience, all of which are valuable characteristics in any working environment. My feeling is that people who stutter enrich workplaces and if we can be open about our stuttering we help to foster an atmosphere in which others can be open and vulnerable too.

Join the Santa Monica - Adult & Family stuttering support group. Connect with others, share experiences, and access resources through the National Stuttering Association. Santa Monica ADULT, FAMILY CHAPTER IN-PERSON MEETINGS SOUTHWEST REGION Official NSA Chapter - California State Welcome to the NSA Santa Monica Chapter! The National Stuttering Association’s® motto: If You Stutter, You’re Not Alone®, is what our NSA Chapters are all about! Chapter meetings are open to people who stutter, family members of people who stutter, speech-language pathologists (SLPs), and anyone that wants to learn more about stuttering. Feel free to reach out to the Chapter Leader(s) to find out more about our chapter. We hope you will join us! How do you typically meet? In-Person Meetings What age group can attend? Adult, Family What languages are spoken? English How much does it cost? Free! Meetings Here is information on the location and schedule of our meetings. Reach out to the Chapter Leader(s) for more information! Where? Downtown Santa Monica Public Library, 2nd Floor - 601 Santa Monica Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90401 When? Meetings are held on the 1st Tuesday of each month from 6:30 PM - 7:45 PM. Chapter Leaders Who leads the meetings? Andrew Wang & Gregory Scott Chapter Leaders Get in touch! andrew8880298@gmail.com speechguygregory@gmail.com - - Questions? We know that attending your first NSA Chapter meeting might be a little intimidating so we’ve tried to answer some of your questions! We know once you get there, you’ll be greeted by Chapter Leaders who have been in your shoes before and are happy to welcome you! What are NSA Local Chapters? Local chapters are the heartbeat of the NSA — powerful spaces where you can meet others, share experiences, and feel supported. Whether you’re an adult who stutters or part of a family navigating stuttering together, we have a chapter for you. Learn more about NSA Chapters and find a meeting close to home! Read more about NSA Chapters and plan to attend a meeting near you! What does a local NSA chapter do? How can I find a local NSA chapter? What happens at an NSA meeting? Who attends an NSA Chapter? Do you need to RSVP before joining an NSA chapter meeting? Do you offer virtual chapter meetings? Don’t see an answer to your question? How do I start a local NSA chapter? How do I start a local NSA chapter? Testimonials Read more about the power of chapters and support groups from NSA members themselves! "When I attended my first conference in 2019. I was welcomed into this "stamily" with open arms and haven't left the bear hug since!" Lexi Hewitt Exton, PA Chapter "Other people who stutter are the best sources of support, love, and encouragement on your journey. Don't be afraid to reach out, no matter what stage you're at." Gina Waggott Author, Entrepreneur "This community has helped me rediscover myself as a confident and capable person who stutters." John Ontiveros Lorem, CA Chapter

< Back Previous Ben Pahl Presenter Ben Pahl, 30, lives in Columbus, Ohio. He works at a small, local senior downsizing and transition company, where he assists in helping older adults move into senior living communities. He loves his job and finds it extremely rewarding and gratifying. Ben coaches tennis and basketball for his local Special Olympics program, plays recreational sand volleyball multiple times a week without getting injured, enjoys jigsaw puzzles and birds, and geeks out over his beloved Cleveland Guardians. He makes really good baked sweet potatoes and really bad baked ziti. Next

Meet Alyssa Kalwasinski, a valued member of the National Stuttering Association team. Learn more about their role and contributions. Alyssa Kalwasinski Sisters Who Stutter Public Outreach Coordinator & Teen Advisory Council (TAC) Alyssa lives in Central Ohio and is a junior in high school. Alyssa has stuttered her whole life and has recently gotten involved in advocacy and support for stuttering. She has played field hockey and lacrosse during high school and also likes to ride dirt bikes with her dad. She is up for any challenge and loves to try new things! Alyssa is a part of multiple clubs at her school, including Interact Club, which grants many volunteer opportunities; Girl Up Club, which promotes female empowerment; and Alyssa’s favorite, American Sign Language Club. As a Co-Public Outreach Officer for Sisters Who Stutter, Alyssa sends informational emails to speech-language pathology clinics across the nation in hopes of spreading the word about SWS.

Meet Stacey Dedering, a valued member of the National Stuttering Association team. Learn more about their role and contributions. Stacey Dedering Seasoned Voices Committee Stacey Dedering is a human resources professional based in San Jose, California, and the proud mother of 19-year-old twins, along with her cat, Eskie. She first discovered the National Stuttering Association (NSA) 15 years ago, but at the time, the demands of work and raising young children made it difficult to stay involved. Three years ago, seeking connection with others who truly understand the experience of stuttering, she found the NSA Women’s Connect group. Since then, Stacey has become an active member of the community and has attended the last two NSA Annual Conferences.

Meet Haley Totherow, a valued member of the National Stuttering Association team. Learn more about their role and contributions. Haley Totherow Social Media Coordinator Haley Totherow has been part of the NSA community since 2019, and her journey with stuttering reflects both growth and intention. What began as navigating the everyday challenges of being a person who stutters has evolved into confident, visible advocacy. She is an active member of the Women’s Connect support group and has shared her perspective on panels focused on pronounced stuttering—bringing honesty, depth, and representation to conversations that matter. Haley is especially passionate about increasing visibility and fostering acceptance of stuttering in everyday life. Through her Instagram platform, @StutterWithMe, she shares real speaking experiences, helping others feel seen and less alone in their own journeys. Outside of the NSA, Haley enjoys baking, craft projects, and collecting trinkets and Jellycat plush animals—small joys that reflect her creativity and personality.

Follow the NSA on social media for updates, resources, and stuttering awareness campaigns. Join the conversation today. Join the Conversation Social media is a preeminent way to connect with others instantly both locally and across the globe. The National Stuttering Association offers a variety of ways to connect with others online to discuss the various aspects of stuttering, seek the advice of professionals or others in your situation, or simply make new friends who stutter or catch up with old friends. Connect over the internet with others who know how you feel. Groups get to know each other by asking questions, discussing tough issues and finding answers to questions. Facebook This is the first stop (after this website!) to find information about stuttering and to connect with other PWS and professionals. Check out photos of stuttering events, catch up with friends, old and new, and see what’s going on in the world of stuttering and the NSA in real time! Instagram Browse through the latest graphics and images showing what the NSA is up to, and all about! LinkedIn Stay up to date with the NSA’s career resources on LinkedIn. You’ll be informed about upcoming webinars, career profiles, practice interview resources, and more. Have a career success story you want to share? Write a post and tag us – we love celebrating your wins! YouTube The NSA YouTube channel is the place to view videos from our NSA’ers, staff, board members, and supporters related to stuttering. Mailing List Sign up for the free National Stuttering Association mailing list to receive the latest in news, events, store discounts, research and more regarding stuttering and the NSA. This is the primary mode of direct communication the members of the stuttering community. NSA Parents Facebook Group The NSA Parents Facebook group is a closed, moderated group open only to the parents of kids, ‘tweens, and teens who stutter. This group offers parents a safe environment in which to share stories and trials, seek advice, and gain support from other parents of kids who stutter. Those interested in joining must answer the required entry questions, and will be vetted. NSA Chapter Leaders This is a closed, moderated group is open only to NSA Chapter Leaders and serves as a place for them to connect, share ideas and stay in the loop! You can ask questions, start a discussion or share information about your chapter that other CLs may benefit from. NSA Teens Facebook Group The NSA Teens Facebook group is a closed, moderated group open only to teens (ages 13-17) who stutter to have a safe environment in which to share stories and trials, seek advice, and gain support from other teens who stutter. Those interested in joining must answer the required entry questions, and will be vetted. NSA Young Adults The NSA Young Adults Facebook group is a closed, moderated group open to 20- and 30-somethings who stutter to have a safe environment in which to share stories and trials, seek advice, and gain support from others who stutter. Those interested in joining must answer the required entry questions, and will be vetted. NSA Military Support The NSA Military Support group is for current and former military personnel to talk to each other and to give and get advice and support about stuttering. For more information on or to join any of these groups, click on the group name above. All groups are moderated closely by NSA staff to maintain a safe environment for discussion. Bullying, abuse, harassment, and outside sales/solicitation will not be tolerated in any of our groups, and the offending member will be removed without prior warning. For questions, comments, or to report any abuse within a group or page, please email the NSA Communications Coordinator .

< Back Previous Chelsea Johnson Presenter Chelsea Johnson, PhD, is the project coordinator for the HeardAI project. Chelsea brings expertise in Communicative Sciences and Disorders, the neurology of stuttering, and project management. Next

< Back Previous Jamie Oxendine Presenter Jamie Oxendine, LCMHCS, has practiced since 2005 across community mental health, hospitals, and long-term care. Since 2017, she has led her private practice, Songbird Counseling & Consultation, PLLC, in Sylva, NC. A formally trained Gestalt therapist through the Appalachian Gestalt Institute, she integrates EMDR into her work. Jamie has served clients of all ages for over 20 years, holds a Gerontology certificate from WCU, and earned her M.Ed. in Community Counseling in 2005. She has supervised 50+ clinicians since 2008. Her work centers on grief as a lifelong process, shaped both professionally and as a parent of a child who stutters. Next

Learn how Heather Rose,a person who stutters, achieved career success. Get inspired by their journey. Corporate Security Heather Rose Briefly describe your daily job duties. I work within the Corporate Security section at General Dynamics (GD). I also have a license in how to handle COMSEC (communication security) equipment. As a person who stutters, share the most challenging part of your job. Having to speak to small groups and large audiences. Did you self-disclose your stuttering during the job hiring process? If so, how did you do it and how do you currently disclose your stuttering to unsuspecting co-workers. In the interview, I told them I was very nervous so I many trip over my words. They understood that but I did not come out and say that I have a stutter. I’m currently working up the courage to mention that I have a stutter but have not felt the need to do it just yet. Describe how stuttering makes you a better, more valued contributor at work. I feel that I work harder than the average person because I’ve struggled with stuttering all my life, As a result, I take on every challenge with 100% effort. What is your proudest moment at your current company? I won an achievement award within my first year at GD for a “Continuous Improvement” Award. I value it greatly. What are your long-term career aspirations? I want to have a stable career in a field that I enjoy doing.

Learn how Danette Fitzgerald,a person who stutters, achieved career success. Get inspired by their journey. Optical Systems Engineer Danette Fitzgerald Briefly describe your daily job duties. As an Optical Systems Engineer, I streamline the manufacturing process for optical measurement instruments, such as microscopes, telescopes, and interferometers. I do this by designing tests, documenting procedures, training teams, and troubleshooting failures. As a person who stutters, share the most challenging part of your job. I need to use a lot of technical words, for which I try not to fall back on old habits of word substitution. As a former covert stutterer, I used to substitute words or use circumlocution (rambling rather than speaking concisely to avoid a feared word). I felt self-conscious that I may have come across to my colleagues as less competent because I didn’t “know” the appropriate technical term to use. But I did! I have now come to realize that it sounds better to stutter on the right word than to fluently say the wrong word. Did you self-disclose your stuttering during the job hiring process? If so, how did you do it and how do you currently disclose your stuttering to unsuspecting co-workers? Yes, kind of. I listed the National Stuttering Association (NSA) in the “community activities” section on my resume. I only disclose verbally that I stutter if I have a moment of stuttering that seems to confuse someone, or that I feel self-conscious about. The annual NSA Conference is also a great opportunity to disclose to co-workers about stuttering, as vacation plans are always a lunchtime topic of conversation. What is your proudest moment at your current company? I gave my first presentation at a technical conference, and I feel that it went really well! After watching many of the other talks during the conference, I even felt that I communicated better than some of the other presenters. Communication is about more than fluency; it’s also about looking at your audience rather than at your slides, being engaging, and wording things clearly. My company must agree because I’ve been given another opportunity to present at another conference. What’s your best advice for people who stutter just entering the workplace and for those in a career striving to achieve greater success? Communication is much more than fluency, and you can be a good communicator even while stuttering. Disclose your stuttering when appropriate to make yourself and your listener[s] more comfortable. Say the things you want to say because you’ll come across as more intelligent and competent by speaking with a stutter than by staying silent. Never turn down opportunities because of your stutter.

Find support and resources tailored for college students who stutter. Access scholarships, programs, and more. Stuttering Support for College Students Written by: Marina Piazza Hearing from others who have gone before you can often help you to navigate new or difficult situations. Read on as some of our NSA’ers discuss their opinions about how stuttering relates to college. Classroom The classes that you will encounter in college will probably differ from the classes that you have experienced in high school. College classes are often larger, require independent work, and demand more critical thinking skills. However, if you are a person who stutters, do not assume that all universities only have huge lecture halls and you won’t have to speak up in class. This is simply not true! Many universities offer smaller classes and seminars courses, especially for first year students. It is important to participate in class and ask questions, especially if the subject matter is difficult. You don’t want to fall behind from your classmates just because you were afraid to speak up. If you feel comfortable doing so, you can approach your professors privately after the lecture and tell them that you stutter and that it may take you a longer time to get your thoughts out in class. It may be necessarily to approach your professor if you are taking a public speaking class or are enrolled in a course which requires you to make timed oral presentations. The professor can then make accommodations for you, if needed. It is crucial for you to be proactive to maximize your educational experience to ensure your success in college and eventually, your future career. -Chani Leaving the Comforts of Home Starting college is a challenging experience because you will be leaving everything familiar to you back at home. It can be especially difficult for you, a teenager who stutters, because you will be leaving those closest to you who understand your history with stuttering, advocate on your behalf, and want you to succeed. However, you may find that beginning college can feel like a huge relief because you will be starting with a clean slate. Your classmates and professors will not have any prior assumptions about you and your speech. If your stutter is mild, people may not even realize that you stutter! You will probably find that students in college are less judgmental than your classmates in junior high and high school. However, it is important to keep in mind that regardless of your present level of fluency, your stuttering may get worse when you first begin college. You will be entering a new environment, the coursework will be stressful, and you will be meeting dozens of new people. If you were in speech therapy in high school, it can feel scary to “be on your own” controlling speech. Anticipate that your speech may be less fluent and be mentally prepared for what you will do if and when that happens. If you learnt fluency-shaping or stuttering modification techniques in therapy, continue to practice those in college. Try to get enough sleep, stick to a healthy diet, and find ways for you to relax. Most importantly, stay positive and keep in touch with those who love and care for you back at home- family, friends, neighbors, therapists- and that will make the adjustment way easier. -Chani College Students Attitude The students in college overall are a lot different than high school. The students tend to be more mature and less judgmental then high school from my experience. College students seem to be a lot more accepting of stuttering and all other disabilities even though I don’t consider stuttering a disability. Depending on what type of college you choose there are usually a lot more students than high school so it is not like you are stuck with the same people in every class. If you do come across someone in college who isn’t accepting of your stuttering most likely you won’t see them very often depending on the size of your college. If you do come across them often you can most likely avoid them because of how many students there are unlike high school. So far in college I have not had any negative experiences with my stuttering. My transition into the “college life” was a lot easier than I thought it would be. -Garrett Langer Finding Therapy/Support in College In college you can often get speech therapy on campus especially if your college has speech language pathology as a major and has clinics on campus. I receive therapy at my college for a discounted rate compared to what the general public pays because I am a student. Speech therapy can be expensive especially when trying to pay for college so having discounted speech therapy available is really cool. I also think that therapy in a college clinic setting is really cool not only for us, but for the graduate students. When you receive therapy by the graduate students most likely you are the first person who stutters that they have ever worked with. I feel that not only are they going over tools and other things that I want to work on, but I feel that I am able to educate them on my experience with stuttering which may help the next person who stutters that they give therapy to.-Garrett Langer General College Topics I personally used stuttering in my college application. It has been a major part of my life and its helped my overcome some events and shape who I am. I freely disclose stuttering on every essay where I have the chance. As for dorm life, I didn’t let it bare any effort on where I ended up. When my new roommate and I contacted each other, I explained that I stutter and she was okay with it. I figured if I am comfortable with my speech, she will be too. There isn’t a lot of therapy that I consider to be helpful and the fact that I go to school in a remote area doesn’t help either. My friends as a whole support me in my speech so I have that going for me. Leaving the comforts of my “home” was more of a personal thing with leaving my life and civilization behind. I went from one of the largest cities in America to a village which was quite depressing. The difference from high school to college is that you pretty much have to “have you your own back” . Be ready to stand up for yourself and make your own way. Meeting people for the first time is tough plus classrooms sometimes aren’t as intimate as it might be in high school. It can be intimidating raising your hand in a big lecture class. Honestly, going to college as a person who stutters isn’t a really big deal. People are more open because people are more “mature” in their thinking. If you don’t want to talk to anyone then you don’t have to and if you do then you find people who click. College seems scary because others have fear attached to their stuttering. Drop the shield and the fear and dive right in.