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Join the Nashville - Adult stuttering support group. Connect with others, share experiences, and access resources through the National Stuttering Association. Nashville ADULT IN-PERSON MEETINGS SOUTHEAST REGION Official NSA Chapter - Tennessee State Welcome to the NSA Nashville 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 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? Nashville Public Library – Richland Park Branch at (4711 Charlotte Avenue Nashville, TN 37209) When? Meetings are held on the 2nd Thursday of each month at 6:30PM Chapter Leaders Who leads the meetings? Jake Durm & Jack Henderson Chapter Leaders Get in touch! NashvilleNSAChapter@gmail.com (931) 265-0243 - 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! ! Widget Didn’t Load Check your internet and refresh this page. If that doesn’t work, contact us. 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 Rachel McCullough Speaker Dr. Rachel McCullough was a covert stutterer for many years until learning and accepting it at a NSA Conference. Rachel holds a bachelor's degree in political science from Rider University, and a Master's and Ph.D. in criminal justice from the State University of New York at Albany. Dr. McCullough works as a grants manager by day and rocks out as singer-songwriter for the indie-rock band, Black Cat Habitat by night. Previous Next

< Back YAC Speaker The Young Adults Committee spearheads our Young Adult programming, both during the Annual Conference and throughout the year, to work to bridge the gap between us and focuses on issues that young adults who stutter may face including job interviews, dating, career, and more. Previous Next

Explore resources, tools, and community support for families of kids who stutter. The NSA is here to guide and empower you every step of the way. Supportive Programs and Resources for Parents NSA® Family Programs is dedicated to providing hope, empowerment, and support for children, tweens, and teens who stutter, as well as their families. Through the NSA, you will become part of a community of people who understand stuttering and how to help people who stutter. Together, we can make a real difference in your child’s life, and the lives of the family members who love and support them. Get Involved The NSA offers more than just hope, we offer connection. By getting your child and yourself involved in the stuttering community, everyone benefits. Your child benefits from developing friendships with kids their age who stutter. You benefit from experiencing more of your child’s journey and from connecting with other parents. Below are a few ways to get involved with the NSA, and for more information and ways to get involved, contact our Family Programs Chair, Holly Nover . Local Chapters for Kids, Teens & Families We offer an extensive network of Local Chapters specifically for Kids (ages 7-12) and Teens (ages 13-17) and their parents, family members, and speech-language pathologists. Local meetings provide a safe haven to share feelings, learn that you are not alone, and have fun! FIND YOUR LOCAL CHAPTER Support for Parents & Caregivers – Join Our Virtual Chapter! CONNECT WITH OTHER PARENTS Annual Conference The Annual NSA Conference is a one-of-a-kind event, bringing together hundreds of people who stutter. Each day is filled with laughter, friendship, support, information, excitement, encouragement, motivation, new ideas, and new perspectives. It’s a place where people who stutter are in the majority and everyone understands what you’re going through. LEARN MORE Local & Virtual Events The NSA puts on various local events throughout the year, from our 1-Day Conferences to our Don’t Tell Me to ‘Slow Down’ 5Ks and film screenings, and so much more. These events bring together children and teens who stutter, their families, and speech-language pathologists for learning, support, and growth. We also offer various virtual events throughout the year through our NSA Connects sessions. UPCOMING EVENTS Get Informed Become a partner in your child’s journey by learning all you can about how they are managing their stuttering . Ask them about what they are experiencing with their speech, and do your best to learn from those experiences. Your child is the expert about their speech, but knowing that you are there will give them the support and encouragement they need to overcome the many challenges they will face. Resources We have educational resources for persons who stutter of all ages, as well as their family members and other interested persons. Kids Tweens Teens College/Young Adults Parents Speech-Language Pathologists Educators Medical Professionals Find a Speech Therapist Insurance Coverage

Join the West Hartford - Family stuttering support group. Connect with others, share experiences, and access resources through the National Stuttering Association. West Hartford - Family FAMILY CHAPTER IN-PERSON MEETINGS NORTHEAST REGION Official NSA Chapter - Connecticut State Welcome to the NSA West Hartford 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? Weather-permitting, our chapter meets outside at Elizabeth Park (near the perennial garden -- 1561 Asylum Ave West Hartford, CT 06117). In cold weather months, we will meet in varying indoor locations around West Hartford. Please contact the Chapter Leader for more details! When? Meetings are held on the second week of each month at 6PM. Meetings begin July 2025! Chapter Leaders Who leads the meetings? Sarah Schuyler-Gallaway Chapter Leader Get in touch! schuyler-gallaway@att.net 860-543-3561 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! ! Widget Didn’t Load Check your internet and refresh this page. If that doesn’t work, contact us. 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 San Jose - Adult stuttering support group. Connect with others, share experiences, and access resources through the National Stuttering Association. San Jose ADULT CHAPTER IN-PERSON MEETINGS SOUTHWEST REGION Official NSA Chapter - California State Welcome to the NSA San Jose 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 around the San Jose, CA area. When? Meetings are held monthly on rotating Saturdays, 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM. For details about meetings/events please contact the Chapter Leader to confirm meeting details prior to attending. Chapter Leaders Who leads the meetings? Kory Tran Chapter Leader Get in touch! koryteller@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! ! Widget Didn’t Load Check your internet and refresh this page. If that doesn’t work, contact us. 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

Watch videos from the National Stuttering Association featuring real voices, lived experiences, and education about stuttering and community support. Real Voices. Real Stories. Real Understanding. Explore our curated video library featuring education, lived experiences, and the real impact of community support. Play Video Play Video I Hid My Stutter… Until This Happened Play Video Play Video Storyteller: Carl’s Public Speaking Success Story Play Video Play Video Being a Supportive Spouse to a Person Who Stutters Play Video Play Video Sisters Who Stutter Share Their Stories of Courage Play Video Play Video MMA Fighter Kat Paprocki on Stuttering & Fighting for Confidence Play Video Play Video National Stuttering Association Sits Down with NASCAR Driver Mason Massey

Discover how the NSA supports people who stutter, their families, educators, and SLPs through resources, community, and life-changing events. Discover How We Support People Who Stutter Whether you are a person who stutters, the family member or friend of a PWS, or just an ally to PWS who has a special interest in stuttering, we are here for you! The NSA® is here to connect you to information, others who stutter, and SLPs (Speech-Language Pathologists) who specialize in stuttering. Get started by looking through the following links! Need more information? Feel free to contact us. You are not alone! Adults The NSA is the preeminent organization for supporting people who stutter through support, education, advocacy, and research. Read More Family Programs NSA Family Programs supports young people who stutter by providing resources for the whole family and others in their support network. Read More Speech-Language Pathologists (SLP) Stuttering is complicated, and treating it can be a challenge. At the NSA, we believe that SLPs can help people to successfully cope with stuttering. Read More Military Personnel We understand that military personnel face unique challenges as people who stutter. We are here to raise awareness and educate military health specialists and command staff in all of the US Armed Forces. Read More Researchers As the largest stuttering support organization in North America, we are advancing both knowledge and understanding of stuttering. Read More College/Young Adult Moving into a new stage of life – any new stage – can be scary, especially with speech challenges. Luckily there are NSA’ers who have gone before you and can offer advice for making that transition as smooth as possible. Read More Stuttering@Work Searching for a job can be stressful for a person who stutters. Do I disclose my stuttering? When and how? What about interviewing? We can help. Read More Employers With approximately 1% of the population stuttering, employers are likely to encounter people who stutter in the work force or among job applicants. Get the facts about stuttering. Read More Educators Educators play a critical role in shaping the lives of young children, including those who stutter. Understand and support them in the best way possible. Read More Pediatricians Medical professionals are often the first professionals that parents turn to when they notice disfluencies in their child’s speech. With the correct information and a basic understanding of childhood stuttering, pediatricians and family physicians can be an asset to parents in these early stages. Read More

Learn how Aidan Marshall-Cort,a person who stutters, achieved career success. Get inspired by their journey. Manager & Personal Trainer Aidan Marshall-Cort Upper Marlboro, MD Manager & Personal Trainer Fitness Together Briefly describe your daily job duties. As a Manager at my facility, my job involves overseeing a team of 5-6 Personal Trainers that handle upward to 100 different clients every week. Ensuring every individual client has a goal specific program and proper path of progression that is tracked through bi-monthly assessments. Effectively supervise an atmosphere of teamwork and communication between my team and our clientele. I also take part in the Sales and Marketing of our business with phone calls to prospective clients, discussing their goals and our services before handling an in-person introductory consultation with the individual. As a person who stutters, share the most challenging part of your job. My career has challenged me every step of the way as a person who stutters – communication is a fundamental part of my role not only in regards to my clientele but also to my team members as well. When it came to first meeting all of our clientele, introductions were a challenge and produced a lot of anxiety every time I saw someone new on my schedule. As I accepted more responsibility, my role absorbed new tasks that centered around initiating conversation through phone calls or first-time in-person encounters – all things I’ve always feared through my journey with stuttering. However, these experiences have only pushed me outside of my comfort zone and inevitably turned me into an effective communicator and leader that felt more confident with my stutter! What are your long-term career aspirations? My long-term career aspirations is to become a Chief Wellness Officer (CWO). A CWO is an individual who works in an organization, company, etc. who is responsible for employing many different strategies and resources that can positively benefit the employees or workers well-being. This can affect them mentally, physically, financially, etc. Wellness is a multifaceted compass that can be attributed to many different areas of life. Even though mental health is seen as the forefront of concern, there are other areas that can increasing stress and anxiety in one’s day-to-day life. Did you self-disclose your stuttering during the job hiring process? Yes, I did – self-disclosure is a way of taking control of your stutter. I have learned through my time in the stuttering community that a lot of fear and anxiety may come from the expectation to mask our stuttering so that we may appear fluent and therefore make others comfortable when speaking to us. However, this constant need to hide who we are as People Who Stutter can only increase fear in speaking situations which ultimately leads to higher levels of feelings of shame and guilt when we show moments of disfluency. When you eliminate that expectation to hide who you are, you don’t only eliminate that pressure we may feel but you also allow yourself to be who you are. I know it can be easier said than done, I disclose my stutter when I first meet most individuals – mutual friends, co-workers, clients, etc. – because it allows me to be myself without fear or guilt from the start and show what Aidan is saying, may take a little more time, but nonetheless still matters. What is your proudest moment at your current company? It is very difficult to pick one proud moment as everyday we are changing people’s lives. When I work my clients, my goal is not only for them to leave feeling physically better but also mentally and emotionally. A lot of my work involves being able to listen, adapt, and respond to what I encounter from my clientele everyday. It’s not always the main focus we are keeping in mind is an ache or soreness but it may be an interruption of the emotional or mental state. Seeing a client come in and inform me of some progress in their everyday life or some achievement in other areas is a consistent brightness to my day and re-affirms the love and passion in what I do. Describe how stuttering makes you a better, more valued contributor at work. I always saw my stutter as a hinderance in my life until I learned how much I see it as my own superpower. Stuttering’s relationship with the Stutterer can subjective as everyone may experience it differently – I found mine to be an obstacle, something I was ashamed of and attributed it to a lot of my shortcomings. Through a lot self-reflection and journeys outside my comfort zone, I’ve learned how much it reflects values I hold dear to this day. My stutter has made me someone who is empathetic with a developed emotional intelligence, patient similar to how those are with me, and allows me to be vulnerable with people I encounter in my life and at work. Due to my career, I encounter all walks of life and my stutter has taught me skills and values that allows me to connect on a multitude of levels. What’s your best advice for people who stutter just entering the workplace and for those in a career striving to achieve greater success? We have the superpower to be open and vulnerable with those in our lives. Stuttering affects 1% of the population on our planet, you have the opportunity to educate those around you in your daily life and inevitably make the experience of another stutterer after you, easier. Progress is never a straight line, there will be days where we are sad and feel defeated – it is okay to have those moments and feelings, they are natural; it only matters how we bounce back and learn from them. You’ve got this and you’re doing a great job, go out there and let the world hear your voice 🙂

Join the National Stuttering Association’s “Where Are They Now” series by sharing your story as a past Graduate Student Research Award recipient. Highlight your achievements and how GSRA funding advanced your stuttering research career in accessible, community-friendly language. GSRA Recipient Spotlight: Your Research Journey The National Stuttering Association is collecting updates from past Graduate Student Research Award (GSRA) recipients for our “Where Are They Now” series. These stories celebrate your achievements and show how GSRA funding supports the future of stuttering research. Please write your answers in in accessible, non-technical language so all of our community can understand the real-world impact of your work. About You First name* Last name* Your title* Email* Your place of employment * About Your GSRA Experience What year did you receive the GSRA, and what was the focus of your project?* How did GSRA funding support your work at that stage? (e.g., data collection, travel to conferences, equipment, etc.)* Did receiving the award open any doors for you, such as collaborations, mentorships, or professional opportunities?* Your Career Path Since Then What milestones have you reached since completing your GSRA project? (e.g., defended your dissertation, earned your PhD, postdoc work, publications)* Have you presented your GSRA-related work at conferences or published it in journals? If so, where?* Where are you working now, and what does your role involve?* How does your current work connect to the stuttering community or communication sciences?* Other A recent photo of yourself (for the feature)* Upload Photo Any links to your professional page, lab, or published work you’d like us to include * SUBMIT

Join the Piedmont Triad North West North Carolina - Adult stuttering support group. Connect with others, share experiences, and access resources through the National Stuttering Association. Piedmont Triad North West North Carolina ADULT CHAPTER IN-PERSON MEETINGS MID-ATLANTIC REGION Official NSA Chapter - North Carolina State Welcome to the NSA Piedmont Triad North West North Carolina 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? Virtual 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 virtually. Please contact the Chapter Leader for the meeting link. When? Meetings are held on the last Wednesday of each month from 7:00-8:00PM Eastern. Chapter Leaders Who leads the meetings? Benjamin Chad Johnson Chapter Leader Get in touch! benjaminchadjohnson@gmail.com (773) 573-6692 - 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! ! Widget Didn’t Load Check your internet and refresh this page. If that doesn’t work, contact us. 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 Parents and Caregivers Virtual Chapter stuttering support group. Connect with others, share experiences, and access resources through the National Stuttering Association. Parents and Caregivers Virtual Chapter FAMILY CHAPTER VIRTUAL MEETINGS CENTRAL SOUTH REGION Official NSA Chapter Welcome to the NSA Parents and Caregivers Virtual 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? Virtual 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? Meetings are held virtually. When? Meetings are held on the first Thursday of each month at 7 PM Eastern. Check the NSA Events page to RSVP. Chapter Leaders Who leads the meetings? Christine Rose & Mike Gioscia Chapter Leaders Get in touch! mikegioscia@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! ! Widget Didn’t Load Check your internet and refresh this page. If that doesn’t work, contact us. 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