Explore stuttering support for kids. Join programs, find resources, and connect with others in a safe and fun environment. Sometimes being a kid who stutters can feel lonely. The NSA is here to let you know that you are not alone! There are approximately 3 million people who stutter living in the United States. Although you may not know very many people who stutter (maybe you’ve never met even one other person who stutters!), they are out there, and they have experienced many of the same feelings and challenges you are experiencing right now and they are ready to help! Learn About Stuttering Being a kid who stutters can be challenging and difficult sometimes. Stuttering is one of those things that not many people understand. You can learn more about stuttering and help other people understand it better, too. Follow the links to become a stuttering “expert” and how to handle difficult situations. WHAT IS STUTTERING? FAMOUS PEOPLE WHO STUTTER BACK TO SCHOOL Kids Games & Activities Print out these activities to share with your parents, siblings, and friends, or work on them with your speech-language pathologist! Matching Game Scavenger Hunt Finish That Sentence! True or False Advertising Challenge Word Search Roll the dice Match the Words Screenplay Join a Chapter or Attend an Event The NSA hosts a variety of events throughout the year and across the country, including our Local Chapter meetings, Annual Conference, and Family Fun Days. These events bring together children and teens who stutter, their families, and speech-language pathologists for learning, support, and growth in a safe, fun environment. LOCAL FAMILY CHAPTERS NSA ANNUAL CONFERENCE UPCOMING EVENTS

Make a Change Maker donation to support the NSA’s mission. Your gift funds advocacy, programs, and community for people who stutter nationwide. Become a ChangeMaker Monthly Support That Makes a Lasting Difference ChangeMakers are the heart of the National Stuttering Association. They are people who choose to give monthly so that individuals who stutter always have access to community, education, advocacy, and support. Monthly giving creates stability. It allows the NSA to plan ahead, respond to real needs, and ensure that no one who stutters is left without connection or resources. When you become a ChangeMaker, you are not just making a donation. You are helping sustain a community. Make a Donation Why Monthly Giving Matters The work of the NSA happens every day, not just during events or campaigns. Monthly support ensures that our programs remain consistent, reliable, and accessible throughout the year. Sustain local chapters across the country Keep educational resources free and widely available Support programs for teens, adults, and families Strengthen outreach and awareness efforts that challenge stigma Build long term stability for the stuttering community Your monthly gift helps create continuity and trust for people who rely on NSA programs. What Your Monthly Gift Supports Every ChangeMaker gift contributes to the full breadth of NSA work, including Community connection through local chapters and virtual programs Education for parents, schools, educators, and allies Advocacy and awareness that improve understanding of stuttering Support spaces where people who stutter feel heard and valued Your support meets people where they are and stays with them over time. Choose Your Monthly Gift Every amount makes a difference. Choose a monthly gift that feels right for you and know that your support is helping strengthen the stuttering community each and every month. Make a Donation Flexibility and Peace of Mind You can change or cancel your monthly gift at any time. The National Stuttering Association is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Donations are tax deductible as allowed by law. Voices from Our ChangeMakers People choose to give monthly because they believe in connection, access, and belonging. “I choose to be a ChangeMaker so that the NSA is able to continue their work to find and embrace everyone who stutters but does not yet know that the NSA exists.” Allison D. Make a donation Make a donation By contributing monthly at a level you’re comfortable with, you’re supporting the National Stuttering Association’s mission and helping us make a lasting impact in people’s lives today and in the future. Amount $15 Helps keep trusted stuttering resources free and accessible to individuals and families. Helps keep trusted stuttering resources free and accessible to individuals and families. $15 $25 Supports community connection so people who stutter know they are not alone. Supports community connection so people who stutter know they are not alone. $25 $50 Helps fund educational materials for parents, schools, and allies. Helps fund educational materials for parents, schools, and allies. $50 $75 Supports local chapter meetings where people who stutter can connect and be heard. Supports local chapter meetings where people who stutter can connect and be heard. $75 $100 Helps sustain virtual and in-person programs that build confidence and community. Helps sustain virtual and in-person programs that build confidence and community. $100 $200 Supports outreach and awareness efforts that challenge stigma around stuttering. Supports outreach and awareness efforts that challenge stigma around stuttering. $200 $500 Helps expand access to programs serving teens, adults, and families nationwide. Helps expand access to programs serving teens, adults, and families nationwide. $500 $1,000 Sustains multiple NSA programs that support, educate, and advocate for people who stutter. Sustains multiple NSA programs that support, educate, and advocate for people who stutter. $1,000 Other Other 0/100 Comment (optional) DONATE $25.72 Monthly I'd like to add $0.72 to cover transaction fees.

< Back Previous Shelly Jo Kraft Presenter Shelly Jo Kraft, PhD, CCC-SLP, is an Associate Professor and Director of the Behavior, Speech & Genetics Laboratory at Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan, where her current research focuses on the biological and behavioral genetics of developmental stuttering. In addition to being an international scientist and a clinically active speech-language pathologist, she brings extensive training in neuroscience, molecular human biology, and genetics to her work. Dr. Kraft’s team is working to map gene expression onto pathophysiological mechanisms that control and contribute to speech production, regulation, and severity. Next

Join the Riverside - Family stuttering support group. Connect with others, share experiences, and access resources through the National Stuttering Association. Riverside - Family FAMILY CHAPTER IN-PERSON MEETINGS SOUTHWEST REGION Official NSA Chapter - California State Welcome to the NSA Riverside Family 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? 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? Cal Baptist University Health Science Campus – Room #A7 3532 Monroe Street Riverside, CA 92504 When? Meetings are held from 5:00-6:30PM on the 3rd Sunday of the following months: September, November, January, March, May, July. Please RSVP if you plan to attend. Chapter Leaders Who leads the meetings? Cynthia Sandoval, Bryce Jacobson & Johanna Pulliam Chapter Leaders Get in touch! nsariversidefam@gmail.com (951) 347-1691 - 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 Shahriar SheikhBahaei Presenter Dr. Shahriar SheikhBahaei is an Empire Innovation Assistant Professor of Neurobiology at the State University of New York, Stony Brook, and a person who stutters. He earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of California, Berkeley, and his PhD from a joint program between University College London and the National Institutes of Health. Dr. SheikhBahaei’s research investigates how astrocytes interact with neurons to regulate voluntary motor behaviors, with a focus on speech and respiratory circuits. Using genetic, optical, and electrophysiological tools, his lab aims to uncover the roles of glial cells in motor behaviors and disorders, such as developmental stuttering. Next

Read real stories from people who stutter, their families, and allies. Discover experiences of courage, community, and communication through the National Stuttering Association. Stories from Our Community Real people, real experiences, real hope. Hear from members of our community about their journeys with stuttering. How a Stuttering ID Card Impacted My Experience With Customs A personal account of using the NSA Stuttering ID Card while crossing the US-Canada border alone, showing how disclosure on one’s own terms can reduce fear, prevent misjudgment, and create smoother interactions with authority figures. Taylor Worsham Drew Lynch: How Comedy, Stuttering, and Laughter Became His Voice An in-depth profile of comedian Drew Lynch exploring how stuttering shaped his comedy, advocacy, and approach to vulnerability, while challenging assumptions about communication, confidence, and being heard. Drew Lynch ‘On the Other Side of Fear’: Stuttering Lessons from Matice Morris Advocate and author Matice Morris turns fear into strength as a person who stutters. Read her hard-won lessons on courage, confidence, and facing challenges. Matice Morris An Open Letter From an Ally This open letter from an ally shares what it means to stand beside people who stutter, why all voices matter, and how allies can make a difference in daily life. Amber Toerien Nate Crawford on Stuttering & Building Morning Jay’s Photographer and entrepreneur Nate Crawford shares how stuttering has shaped his voice, his creative work, and the Chicago-based breakfast pop-up Morning Jay’s. Nate Crawford Matthew’s Stuttering Journey Told Through Folk Music Folk musician and NSA member Matthew DeChant shares how stuttering shaped his journey on and off the stage. Through music and the support of the NSA, he has found confidence, community, and a powerful voice of expression. Lexi Hewitt Stuttering and Mental Health: You Are Not Alone Therapist and person who stutters Sam Gennuso shares honest insight and strategies for taking care of your emotional well-being. You are not alone. Sam Gennuso

Meet Abhishek Agarwal, a valued member of the National Stuttering Association team. Learn more about their role and contributions. Abhishek Agarwal WS@W Committee Leader Abhishek is a proud person who stutters and the leader of the WeStutter@Work NSA committee. He is quite passionate about stuttering advocacy, and runs a blog called StutterShift. His own stuttering journey has helped him build confidence and break free from his inhibitions. Outside of the NSA, Abhishek is a cybersecurity specialist and enjoys hiking, playing the violin, and reading.

Learn how Steve Ernst,a person who stutters, achieved career success. Get inspired by their journey. Conference Events Specialist Steve Ernst Briefly describe your daily job duties. I’m a Conference Events Specialist for FOCUS, a Catholic collegiate outreach organization. My primary role is working on the annual conference planning team. I plan and manage online registration, onsite check-in, volunteers, the info booth, and a few other projects during the conference each year in January which attracts 17,000 attendees. I also help out at a few other events throughout the year, such as managing hotel contracts, catering, and space use for a few FOCUS recruitment weekends. As a person who stutters, share the most challenging part of your job. Making phone calls is tough for me. If our donor relations team cannot answer a question about the conference, the phone call comes to me. Especially if the caller is upset, I sometimes have trouble speaking clearly and confidently. I disclose that I am a person who stutters though, and the person usually understands; that also helps to soften the person’s demeanor if they’re upset! 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 and or customers? Yes. I brought up the challenges that I’ve faced with my stutter and how I’ve worked to overcome them or can work with the difficulty. If I’m on a phone or video call with someone new, I’ll usually mention that I’m a person who stutters and that they may hear some pauses or repetitions. Describe how stuttering makes you a better, more valued contributor at work. To be honest, I’m not sure that stuttering makes me more valued in the office. I’m very extroverted and I’m at a point where stuttering doesn’t affect my emotional state too much, so I don’t think stuttering makes me more or less valuable at work. What is your proudest moment at your current company? In 2018, one of my first projects was to design conference check-in process for our 2019 conference. FOCUS had been doing check-ins the same way for years, but I designed a completely new way of organizing the room and moving the thousands upon thousands of attendees through it. I ran my idea past many people, made back-up plans in case it didn’t work, and tried to make my managers confident. When day one of the conference started, my check-in plan worked AMAZING. My plan cut down our average check-in time from about 7 minutes to less than 30 seconds, and we never really had a line of people waiting, even though our attendance was 17,000 people. What are your long-term career aspirations? I majored in Engineering, but have found that I have a passion for event planning. I think the fields cross over a lot, especially with critical thinking and application of knowledge and theory. I currently work for a non-profit, and I eventually hope to work for a larger event planning company and also get my Certified Meeting Professional certification. What’s your best advice for people who stutter just entering the workplace and for those in a career striving to achieve greater success? Be bold! Aim to grow! Seek a challenge! You may not know exactly what you’re doing, but as you dig in and work hard to get the task done, you’ll learn and be better after it’s over.

Meet Marvin Wiley, Jr., a valued member of the National Stuttering Association team. Learn more about their role and contributions. Marvin Wiley, Jr. Regional Chapter Coordinator - Northwest Region Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, Wyoming, North Dakota, South Dakota For numerous years Marvin Wiley Jr. had struggled with his stutter, which led him to avoid social interactions. At the age of 23, he birthed a belief that he could work towards developing himself into a more confident speaker, inspired from his experience in a public speaking course he took in college in 2013. Marvin first learned about the NSA the following year in 2014, but didn’t get involved until October of 2018. Marvin has been a Toastmaster ever since passing the public speaking course and has discovered how to stop his stutter from dictating the course of his life; by involving yourself in organizations like the NSA and Toastmasters, thriving within support groups. He now strives to share with others what he has learned along his journey with the goal of encouraging others to take action against their fears so they can get the most out of life. Some of Marvin’s passions include videography and playing golf.

Learn how Sharon Emery,a person who stutters, achieved career success. Get inspired by their journey. Senior Consultant Sharon Emery Mason, MI Senior Consultant Truscott Rossman Briefly describe your daily job duties. Having worked over 30 years in communications — as a journalist, university instructor and public relations professional — I have added a new career: book author, including extensive speaking engagements. As a person who stutters, share the most challenging part of your job. The book is my memoir, “It’s Hard Being You, A Primer on Being Happy Anyway,” so of course it details my battle to be a communicator who struggles to speak. Sharing that experience out loud was a challenging step I thought I’d never take. But I did … and people are receptive! What are your long-term career aspirations? Mentoring others who struggle to speak, and educating the fluent public about how they can overcome being “disabled listeners”. Did you self-disclose your stuttering during the job hiring process? I self-disclose in that I have a severe stutter, so listeners always know upfront that I am one unique speaker… I try to help them get over it. What is your proudest moment at your current company? I love helping Truscott Rossman clients “make every word count”. Describe how stuttering makes you a better, more valued contributor at work. When you’re a person who stutters, you don’t want to waste a single breath on unnecessary words. Here’s to clear, direct, impactful communication! What’s your best advice for people who stutter just entering the workplace and for those in a career striving to achieve greater success? Recognize your stutter as a key part of who you are. Own it, and then be brave enough to let yourself fill up an entire room.

Meet Tammy Flores, a valued member of the National Stuttering Association team. Learn more about their role and contributions. Tammy Flores Executive Director Tammy has been a cornerstone of the National Stuttering Association (NSA) for more than 25 years, serving as its dedicated Executive Director since 2006. Her unwavering passion for empowering people who stutter and her commitment to advocating for the NSA community have made her a driving force behind the organization's growth and impact. Tammy’s leadership reflects her deep belief in the importance of creating a supportive and empowering environment for people who stutter and their families. Over the years, Tammy has played a key role in developing programs, resources, and initiatives that have enriched the lives of countless people within the stuttering community. Her dedication to fostering connections and amplifying voices continues to inspire others and strengthen the NSA’s mission. Outside of her professional endeavors, Tammy enjoys spending quality time with her family and friends, exploring new places, and indulging in her love for all things dogs. Whether it's discovering new adventures or simply sharing moments with her favorite people, Tammy brings her trademark warmth and enthusiasm to everything she does. She is also married to an amazing person who stutters, who is her absolute favorite person in life. Tammy’s journey is a testament to her commitment, both personally and professionally, to making a lasting difference in the lives of those she serves.

< Back Previous Nayha Auradkar Presenter Nayha Auradkar is a person who stutters and co-leader of the “NSA Connects: Asians Who Stutter” group. She is a graduate of the University of Washington and currently works as a software engineer in the San Francisco Bay Area. She is passionate about providing community and resources to people who stutter. In her free time, Nayha enjoys running, hiking, and anything outdoorsy. Next