< Back Previous Anabel Augustin Presenter Anabel Augustin is a person who stutters and has been an active member of the National Stuttering Association (NSA) since 2018. She currently serves as Co-Chapter Leader of the NSA Miami Chapter. Since becoming involved with the NSA, she has demonstrated a commitment to advocacy and to cultivating a supportive, empowering community for individuals who stutter. She is deeply dedicated to advancing understanding of stuttering and remains committed to educating others, promoting awareness, and fostering greater acceptance. Next

Meet Andrew Bowers, a valued member of the National Stuttering Association team. Learn more about their role and contributions. Andrew Bowers Advocacy & Education Co-Chair Andrew is a person who stutters and a Speech-Language Pathologist specializing in school-based therapy, in addition to training and mentoring other Speech Therapists. Since 2008, he has been an active member of the National Stuttering Association (NSA). His contributions include helping to develop the Young Adults Program for NSA Conferences and previously serving on the NSA Special Projects Committee. Locally, he held the position of Adult Chapter Leader in Dallas, TX, for five years. Beyond his work with the NSA, Andrew leads several global online support groups on Reddit and Discord. Residing in the Dallas, TX area, Andrew lives with his wife and two children. He enjoys adventuring with his daughters, playing board games and role-playing games, and empowering individuals who stutter worldwide. Term began June 2024

< Back Previous Dustin Linkins Presenter Dustin Linkins is a person who stutters, he has been part of the National Stuttering Association since 2011. Dustin is 3 years sober as of March 28th 2026. He never thought his soberity and stutter would link up to help others. He is leading the sober check-in on Thursday, July 2nd and Saturday. We can have fun without a drink. Dustin found the joy of scuba 2 yrs ago and spends his old alcohol money on scuba trips and gear. Next

< Back Previous John Tetnowski Presenter John Tetnowski, PhD, CCC-SLP, BCS-SCFD, is the Sias Endowed Professor at Oklahoma State University and has attended over 25 Annual Conferences, serves as the Chapter Leader for the National Stuttering Association Oklahoma Chapter, presented on five continents, and has published almost 100 manuscripts on stuttering. Next

Join the Stratford - Adult stuttering support group. Connect with others, share experiences, and access resources through the National Stuttering Association. Stratford ADULT CHAPTER IN-PERSON MEETINGS MID-ATLANTIC REGION Official NSA Chapter - New Jersey State Welcome to the NSA Stratford 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 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? Camden County Library – 203 Laurel Road (2nd Floor) Voorhees, NJ 08043 When? Meetings are held on the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of each month from 7:30-9:00PM. Chapter Leaders Who leads the meetings? Jerry Higgins & Anthony Delmar Chapter Leaders Get in touch! gmh5732009@hotmail.com (856) 630-9972 - 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

Join the New Haven - Adult stuttering support group. Connect with others, share experiences, and access resources through the National Stuttering Association. New Haven ADULT HYBRID MEETINGS NORTHEAST REGION Official NSA Chapter - Connecticut State Welcome to the NSA New Haven 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? Hybrid Meeting What age group can attend? Adult 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? Southern Connecticut State University – HHS Building (493 Fitch Street New Haven, CT 06514) and also online via Zoom. Parking is available in the Fitch Street garage in the ‘clinic’ spaces on the street level. Meetings are in Room 239 on the 2nd floor of the HHS building. When? Meetings are held on the 2nd Wednesday of each month* from 6:30-8:00PM. *Email to confirm meeting date, as some months meeting may change based on the university schedule. Chapter Leaders Who leads the meetings? Danette Fitzgerald Chapter Leader Get in touch! opticschic4@gmail.com - https://www.facebook.com/NSANewHaven 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

Meet Gabriela Perez, a valued member of the National Stuttering Association team. Learn more about their role and contributions. Gabriela Perez DEI Committee Leader Gabriela is a person who stutters and currently works for the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) in their State Supreme Court Initiative. Gabriela graduated from the University of Chicago with a degree in Global Studies and Latin American and Iberian Languages and recently completed a Fulbright teaching fellowship. Growing up with a stutter, Gabriela is passionate about disability rights and is proud of her involvement in the National Stuttering Association. She enjoys spending time with her family (two sets of twins!) and pets. Gabriela strongly believes in making the National Stuttering Association a more diverse, inclusive, equitable, and safe environment for all. She is excited to lead the DEI committee and work to increase access for marginalized people who stutter.

Join the Tampa - Adult stuttering support group. Connect with others, share experiences, and access resources through the National Stuttering Association. Tampa ADULT CHAPTER IN-PERSON MEETINGS SOUTHEAST REGION Official NSA Chapter - Florida State Welcome to the NSA Tampa 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 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? Meetings are held at the University of South Florida (3711 USF Citrus Drive, Tampa, FL 33620) in Building PCD, Room 2036. When you get to PCD building, you can park in lot 9A or lot 46. Park in spots labeled PSY-CSD. Parking permits are not needed. Walk inside to the Communication Sciences building, take the elevator to the second floor, and go to room 2036. If you get lost, you can call or text: 813-974-6190. When? Meetings are held on the 3rd Wednesday of each month from 7:00-8:30PM. Chapter Leaders Who leads the meetings? Ethan Mazur & Nathan Maxfield Chapter Leaders Get in touch! hashtagstutter@gmail.com nmaxfield@usf.edu (813) 974-6190 - 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

Learn how Carolina Ayala,a person who stutters, achieved career success. Get inspired by their journey. Developmental Services Worker Carolina Ayala Briefly describe your daily job duties. As a Developmental Services Worker, I support adults with intellectual disabilities. These adults come to our day program and do a variety of activities that promote independence and enjoyment such as arts and crafts, cooking, music, reading, writing, yoga, jigsaw puzzles, and more. We also go into the community with these adults and assist them in a variety of ways including: shopping, swimming, visiting attractions, going to the library, taking different modes of transportation and visiting zoo and farms. As a person who stutters, share the most challenging part of your job. The most challenging part is when there is an emergency and I need to call 911. I feel immense pressure to be quick and precise because someone’s life is on the line and I want to do my best for the person I am supporting. This is when I use positive self-talk and keep calm. Getting anxious will only make things worse. 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, clients and or customers? I always disclose because I stutter often and I am an overt person who stutters. I do this because it helps put me at ease. Some people may be taken aback but that is their issue, not mine. I like to disclose when I am first meeting a new staff member or a family member. I think it puts both of us at ease. For the most part, people appreciate me disclosing and may ask a question or two about stuttering. Regardless of how someone reacts, I know that I am more than my stutter and I try to relay that in my interactions with others. Describe how stuttering makes you a better, more valued contributor at work. Some of the adults with disabilities I support, cannot speak. As a person stutters, I understand that communication is so much more than verbal communication. In that way, I am able to better connect with people I help at work. What is your proudest moment at your current company? Going through this coronavirus pandemic has made me realize how important and valuable a Developmental Services Worker is — we are essential workers. I am proud that I have been able to support our clients through these very challenging times where they cannot visit with their family or friends and have to stay home. They miss their routines. As staff, we are there to comfort them and provide constant stability in a time that has lots of changes. People with disabilities are often forgotten in such times because there are so may needs. I am happy I can do my part to fill this void. What are your long-term career aspirations? First and foremost, I want to be happy. Doing things that improve the lives of others gives me great joy. I would love to continue to try more positions within my organization that push me outside of my comfort zone with the focus of bettering the lives of those with intellectual disabilities. What’s your best advice for people who stutter just entering the workplace and for those in a career striving to achieve greater success? Sometimes greater success isn’t about more money but about the amount of enjoyment you get out of what you are doing. I love my job and helping others. I love making people happy, making them smile because its literally FREE so why not! I always want to strive for more and try new things. Last summer, I tried a position with more responsibility, and it was a great opportunity that taught me that I am capable of so much. Sometimes people judge us, based on what they see and hear but we, people who stutter, are so much more than a stutter. We are awesome people with beautiful things to say to people who are willing to listen. Sometimes we have to push ourselves to see all that we can accomplish.

Join the New Hampshire - Adult stuttering support group. Connect with others, share experiences, and access resources through the National Stuttering Association. New Hampshire ADULT CHAPTER HYBRID MEETINGS NORTHEAST REGION Official NSA Chapter - New Hampshire State Welcome to the NSA New Hampshire 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? Hybrid Meetings What age group can attend? Adult 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? Raymond, NH 03077 When? Meetings are held around the Raymond, NH, area. Please contact the Chapter Leader for more details! Chapter Leaders Who leads the meetings? Deborah Bennett Chapter Leader Get in touch! debbieSLP@mac.com (603) 491-2941 - 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

Meet Pamela Mertz, a valued member of the National Stuttering Association team. Learn more about their role and contributions. Pamela Mertz Regional Chapter Coordinator - Southeast Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, Tennessee, Puerto Rico, North Carolina, South Carolina Pamela Mertz is a member of the Board of Directors of the NSA and serves as Special Projects Co-Chair. Pam helped develop the NSA’s innovative “We Stutter @ Work” initiative. She is both a national and international speaker on stuttering in the workplace and advocacy for women who stutter. She is a member of “50 Million Voices”, a global workplace initiative for people who stutter and is an immediate past Board member of the International Stuttering Association. She is a diversity and inclusion advocate and believes that talking openly about stuttering is the best way to educate those who don’t stutter.

Meet Quinn Helfand, a valued member of the National Stuttering Association team. Learn more about their role and contributions. Quinn Helfand Teen Advisory Council (TAC) Quinn, an 18-year-old computer science major at American University, has been an active member of the National Stuttering Association (NSA) community for many years. Originally from Dallas, Quinn has attended seven NSA conferences and several local chapter meetings, making meaningful connections and contributing to the supportive environment the NSA is known for. As a member of the Teen Advisory Council (TAC), they are passionate about fostering a sense of belonging and helping others feel welcomed. Quinn’s favorite part of NSA conferences is the opportunity to welcome newcomers and reconnect with old friends, creating bonds that celebrate shared experiences and mutual support. Their warmth and enthusiasm make them a natural leader in the stuttering community, helping others feel at ease and embraced. Outside of their academic and advocacy work, Quinn enjoys exploring their creative side through art and reading, finding inspiration in new stories and perspectives. They also cherish spending time with friends, valuing connection and camaraderie in all aspects of life. Quinn’s journey with the NSA reflects their commitment to building a stronger, more inclusive community for people who stutter. With their blend of technical skills, creativity, and compassion, Quinn is poised to make a meaningful impact both within the stuttering community and in their future endeavors.