Join local or virtual support groups for people who stutter. Connect, share experiences, and find community. Getting Started with NSA Local Chapter Support Groups The National Stuttering Association (NSA) has a robust community for people who stutter of all ages and their families through over 125 local chapters nationwide. There are four different NSA Chapter types - Adult Chapters, Family Chapters, Kids Chapters, and Teens Chapters. These local chapter meetings provide a crucial opportunity for people who stutter to connect with others who have shared similar experiences, fostering a sense of community and understanding. There really is something for everyone! Why Join NSA Local Chapter Meetings? Local meetings are a safe space where people who stutter and their families can openly discuss the unique situations they face at work, with friends, or in various social settings. NSA members can share their attitudes towards stuttering and how stuttering shapes their life experiences. These discussions are invaluable for gaining new perspectives, finding emotional support, and building connections and lasting relationships with others who truly understand the journey of living with a stutter. The Role of Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs) Many Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs) recognize the benefits of NSA meetings and encourage their clients to participate. Attending NSA meetings can be an essential component of long-term maintenance of treatment gains, providing ongoing support even after formal therapy has concluded. SLPs are welcome to join their clients at NSA support group meetings or attend on their own. However, it's important to note that these meetings are not a platform for clinicians to advertise their services or promote specific therapy methods. The NSA does not endorse any particular therapy approach over another. The focus is on creating a community where people who stutter and those who support them can learn from each other in a spirit of mutual support and understanding. The Spirit of Community and Support NSA Local Chapters are all about fostering a supportive environment where everyone can share, learn, and grow together. By bringing together people who stutter, their families, and professionals, these meetings help build a strong network of support and can help foster lifelong friendships. Find an NSA Chapter Near You If you're an adult who stutters, have a child or teen who stutters, or are a Speech Language Pathologist looking to support your clients, consider joining an NSA Local Chapter. These meetings can make a significant difference in the lives of those who attend, offering a unique blend of empathy, support, and shared experience. Explore our website to find an NSA Chapter near you and take the first step towards joining a vibrant community dedicated to empowerment and support. FIND YOUR LOCAL CHAPTER

Explore research recruitment opportunities with the NSA. Submit your application for review during one of three annual cycles. All applicants must operate under a U.S.-based IRB. Research Recruitment Contact Information First name* Last name* Email* Phone* Multi-line address Country/Region* Address* City* Zip / Postal code* Investigator Background* Next

Learn how David Lamberti,a person who stutters, achieved career success. Get inspired by their journey. Creative Director David Lamberti Detroit, MI Creative Director OUTFRONT Briefly describe your daily job duties. Design advertising campaigns, consult with current and potential clients, manage a team of Art Directors and Graphic Designers. As a person who stutters, share the most challenging part of your job. From the outside, I suppose you would think it would be the constant personal interactions and group presentations that are called for, but I take on every interaction as a challenge. If you have something valuable to say people will listen (no matter how long it takes or how many times you have to say it). I have always made sure I am well informed and on top of my skill sets. That expertise and knowledge gives me the confidence I need. What are your long-term career aspirations? To continue to use my skills to help businesses achieve success and to help those on my team grow and reach their full potential. Did you self-disclose your stuttering during the job hiring process? I have always been upfront about it and explain that I am not nervous or unsure, this is just the way I am wired. I am a visual artist, so my work does most of my talking for me, so that has always helped. I’m paid to be a creative, critical thinker, sometimes I joke that there are so many ideas in my head it’s almost like they are tripping over each other trying to get out. What is your proudest moment at your current company? I work hard to make sure those around me grow and succeed. Discussing perceived obstacles and finding ways around or through them occurs on a daily basis. It’s something I know a thing or two about. Thanks, stuttering! Describe how stuttering makes you a better, more valued contributor at work. My stuttering pushed me inward as a child, but it helped me grow as a visual artist because drawing and painting was my language. As I got older and learned to accept my stuttering, I was able to turn that voice into a career. Stuttering also makes me a better, more valued contributor because it causes me to think before I speak, resulting in more thoughtful responses. What’s your best advice for people who stutter just entering the workplace and for those in a career striving to achieve greater success? You are probably more concerned about your stuttering than anyone else! Research and learn as much as you can about the company you are targeting. Find someone to practice answering interview questions with. Practice once, practice twice, practice three times. For those already in a career, my advice is the same, know your stuff. If you have to present practice, practice, practice. In both cases, confidence in content breeds fluidity. We are all different, but the day I stopped worrying what others thought of my stutter everything changed.

< Back Seasoned Voices Committee Spotlight: Hannah Laday – The Power of Connection, Art, and Living Proudly When Hannah Laday joined the NSA 20 years ago, it was because someone told her something she’d never forget: “Meeting other people who stutter is the best form of support you can get.” That suggestion not only changed her life—it became her calling. Today, Hannah serves as a valued member of the Seasoned Voices Committee, helping connect and empower members over 50. Her greatest strength? Bringing people together. Whether it’s through mentorship, workshops, or meaningful one-on-one connections, Hannah has a gift for finding common threads and helping others feel seen. “I am talented at connecting people to others with similar interests and skills,” she shares. “The NSA has shown me I can live productively in this world.” Professionally, Hannah has taken her passion for inclusion even further—helping to bring the art of marginalized individuals and communities to the public. That includes artwork created by differently abled people and members of Maine's Wabanaki tribes, opening new doors for expression, recognition, and economic opportunity. Her advice to those new to the NSA is full of wisdom and warmth: “Feel every emotion and listen to others who share your experience. Ask questions of other people who stutter to learn new ways of living successfully.” Get to know Hannah: Favorite ice cream: Blueberry Nature preference: Mountains Favorite movie: Dancing at Lughnasa Karaoke pick: “Nothing Compares to You” by Chris Cornell Fun fact: Completed a half-marathon at age 55 Dream pet: An Australian Shepherd Dream vacation: The American Southwest Hannah is living proof that growth and transformation can happen at any age and that one connection can change everything. Thank you, Hannah, for the light, leadership, and legacy you bring to our community! Previous Next

Learn how Tyler Clemens,a person who stutters, achieved career success. Get inspired by their journey. District Manager Tyler Clemens Briefly describe your daily job duties. I oversee 11 Starbucks locations with close to 400 partners. My job entails all aspects of running the business, with a focus on motivating others to achieve their absolute best. I host weekly video conference calls, create content, and visit my stores throughout the week to connect with partners to ensure they have what they need to be successful. I also monitor performance, food safety, customer satisfaction, and ensure all stores are fully operating. I also am the Co-Chair for the Disability Advocacy Network, a network that engages partners to share, educate, and understand those with disabilities and impairments. As a PWS, this network speaks to me and my experiences, and I hope to inspire others to take a chance on someone or to find the courage to speak their voice. As a person who stutters, share the most challenging part of your job. The most challenging part on a day to day basis is when an emergency occurs, something that requires immediate attentiont – they don’t always happen at the best time and you have to be able to act quickly and efficiently. This can range from a difficult issue in a store to equipment breaking to a natural disaster. What are your long-term career aspirations? I would like to continue to grow to the director level – my aim has always been to impact others positively, and I want to remain in touch with all employees while also having a greater field of responsibility, so that I can create that experience for as many as possible. After that, I don’t necessarily have any aspirations other than to continue to help others at all times – ideally I would like to be involved with non-profits that focus on helping children. I try to view the work experience through the lens of my personal experience, and while I can’t go back and inspire confidence in myself, I can do that for others. Did you self-disclose your stuttering during the job hiring process? My stuttering precedes the ability to self-disclose; it is apparent from the onset. Because my work experience has always been in retail/customer service, I have to sell myself harder so that the interviewers know that my speech doesn’t hold me back and doesn’t define me. At Starbucks, I have found leadership that values the transparency and vulnerability that I offer. What is your proudest moment at your current company? While I am new to Starbucks, my proudest moments have been winning District Manager of the Year – Rookie, and kicking off the Disability Advocacy Network. My work with the network has focused on creating brave spaces for others to come forward and has highlighted the value of diversity and inclusion in all walks of life. At the last company I worked for, GameStop, I created the employee resource group, “visABLE” that was focused on the same idea. I was very proud to have built that group from an idea to being able to lead in person meetings at our annual conference in front of hundreds of managers. Describe how stuttering makes you a better, more valued contributor at work. I think I am patient with others – I understand what it’s like to choke on a word, and it gives me better perspective on growth, change, and vulnerability. I have been told by previous leaders that the courage displayed to speak publicly despite my stuttering gave them a different perspective on what was holding them back and why. My past experiences also allow me to speak about the importance of mental health and to share that back with my partners, oftentimes allowing them an avenue of conversation they may not have anticipated. What’s your best advice for people who stutter just entering the workplace and for those in a career striving to achieve greater success? When I was in high school my counselor told me I should be a mechanic because I liked cars or to go into computer science so that I could code. Here is the thing – I love people. I love to talk to people and deal with people and I wanted to work in field that allowed me unique people experiences on a daily basis. I bagged groceries at a grocery store, I worked at multiple hardware stores, I worked in all sorts of retail establishments. I had people tell me over and over what I should be doing because of my speech. Working in retail, I have had people laugh in my face because of my speech more times than I can count. I have had people laugh during interviews, I have had people laugh in meetings. You do YOU. You get one life – all those who can laugh, can also learn. So rise above and be the better and bigger person. It’s not always easy, but never let someone tell you what you should do – your words are just as important as anyone else’s.

Learn how Stacey Sabu,a person who stutters, achieved career success. Get inspired by their journey. Occupational Therapist Stacey Sabu Briefly describe your daily job duties. As an Occupational Therapist for a public school district in Illinois, I work with elementary school students of different abilities and needs. I provide interventions to help students improve their independence in the school environment, such as improving their fine motor skills, helping with classroom transitions, and accommodating their sensory needs. I also work closely with classroom teachers and other specialists on supporting the students and creating IEP goals. As a person who stutters, share the most challenging part of your job. Speaking up during team meetings and doing large group presentations have always been stressful for me. When I first started working, I was very shy and quiet; I only spoke when it was time to discuss my part. However, I have been working on improving my confidence and asserting myself more vocally to let my voice be heard. 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? Yes, I always disclose that I have a stutter at the beginning of any interview so that employers will not think it’s due to nervousness. I also explain my stuttering to my students because they are often very curious about it and want to help in any way they can. Describe how stuttering makes you a better, more valued contributor at work. Having a stutter has made me a more patient and empathetic person, especially when it comes to working with individuals with disabilities. I have also become a strong advocate for students with speech differences and work with my team on providing accommodations and support for those students. What is your proudest moment at your current company? Advocating for my students gives me joy. It reminds me of the days when my own speech therapists and teachers have supported me in the past and have made me the person that I am today. What are your long-term career aspirations? I hope to take on more leadership roles as a school-based occupational therapist and perhaps even start my own occupational therapy practice down the road. What’s your best advice for people who stutter just entering the workplace and for those in a career striving to achieve greater success? It is better to disclose your stutter and explain how your co-workers or supervisor can best support you. Attempting to hide your stutter only makes life harder for yourself. People will see past the stutter and will appreciate you for your skills and talents. Also, if you feel that you are being judged based on how fluently you speak, then perhaps it is not the right working environment for you because you deserve to be surrounded by co-workers who support you.

Learn how Liz Helton,a person who stutters, achieved career success. Get inspired by their journey. Lead Teacher Liz Helton Cold Spring, KY Lead Teacher Learning Grove Briefly describe your daily job duties. Working with 2.5-6 year olds in a classroom setting. Preparing and performing lessons with the children. Talking and mentoring coworkers. Yearly conferences with parents, as well as daily check-ins. As a person who stutters, share the most challenging part of your job. When I first started teaching I had the fear that once people heard my stuttering they would think I wasn’t capable of teaching their child. What are your long-term career aspirations? Maintaining my position in the agency! Did you self-disclose your stuttering during the job hiring process? I didn’t mention it during the hiring process, and I don’t mention it to coworkers or parents. I have had to explain it to children, “I was born this way and it doesn’t hurt. Thanks for being patient with me, because my mouth has to finish the word”. That’s usually all it takes. What is your proudest moment at your current company? We received a regional award for being the top preschool for the year. Describe how stuttering makes you a better, more valued contributor at work. I am more patient with people and understand of their difficulties What’s your best advice for people who stutter just entering the workplace and for those in a career striving to achieve greater success? Prove everyone wrong! You can succeed and grow in your career.

Meet Paula D’Arcangelo, a valued member of the National Stuttering Association team. Learn more about their role and contributions. Paula D’Arcangelo Research Committee Associate Member Paula is a speech language pathologist who earned her Master of Science degree in Communicative Disorders from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. She currently works in a school setting and at her private practice, where she finds great fulfillment in supporting and learning from people who stutter. In 2022, Paula first became active in the NSA as an ad hoc review committee member for the NSA Research Committee. She resides in Houston, Texas, with her husband, teenage children, and adoring poodle. During her free time, Paula enjoys being outdoors, attending concerts, cherishing moments with family and friends, and traveling to new destinations.

Meet Eldon Solomon, a valued member of the National Stuttering Association team. Learn more about their role and contributions. Eldon Solomon Seasoned Voices Committee Eldon Solomon is 59, and a lifelong person who stutters. His passions center around his wife of 37 years, and their family of four boys, three daughter-in-law’s and three grandchildren. Living in Indiana, Eldon is a CEO of a national, nonprofit, Veteran outreach organization. He attended his first NSA Conference in 2023 and is eager to lend his experiences, personal accomplishments, and love for people to help older persons who stutter to find their voice.

Learn how Jeff Brown,a person who stutters, achieved career success. Get inspired by their journey. Postdoctoral Research Associate Jeff Brown Briefly describe your daily job duties. As a postdoctoral researcher in a neuroscience lab, I lead several experimental and computational projects aimed at better understanding how brain networks organize and tune themselves at the level of individual brain cells during the course of behavior. This sees me spending a good amount of time optically recording from live brains (those of sea slugs in my case!), while taking time to analyze data and write scientific code on my computer. The most rewarding part of my job involves mentoring graduate students, medical students, and undergraduates, however. Before starting my current position, I was honored to have taught and directed a clinical neuroscience course at a large medical school in Illinois for several years. As a person who stutters, share the most challenging part of your job. Since being a scientist depends on presenting your work and sharing your knowledge others, I do a fair amount of public speaking in my position; that was the case at a whole other level when I was lecturing to an auditorium full of medical students in my previous position! Sometimes–and particularly if I’m having a dysfluent day–maintaining fluency while speaking can be exhausting, and that fatigue sometimes amplifies the existing dysfluency. No matter what, however, I commit to making sure that I’m always able to say what I need to. What are your long-term career aspirations? Although I’m currently in a research-intensive position, I hope to land a faculty position at a liberal arts college in the next several years, in which I expect to have a small research laboratory of my own but otherwise hope to be able to pour myself into teaching and mentoring, which, as you may have figured out by now, are my foremost passions. If I have the opportunity to author a few books in the process, all the better! Did you self-disclose your stuttering during the job hiring process? After many years of being terrified about self-disclosing, I have become accustomed to speaking openly about my stutter, including with my current employer and colleagues, though I’d be lying if I said I’m ever entirely comfortable doing it. Nonetheless, I find that the less dramatically you self-disclose (e.g., “Oh, by the way, I should mention that I have a stutter, and you might sometimes hear me pause on or prolong certain words.”), the less importance the people to whom you disclose assign to it. Sometimes, people will tell me that they had no idea I stuttered, while others had apparently already realized; some people will follow up with a series of questions or show support, while others barely acknowledge that I’ve mentioned it. Regardless of the response it elicits, self-disclosure is first and foremost for your benefit: that’s a lesson I continue to learn! What is your proudest moment at your current company? Several years ago, I had a medical student in my clinical neuroscience course who consistently performed towards the bottom of my class. Although very bright and industrious, he had a difficult time wrapping his head around the course material, much to his frustration and disappointment. At one point during the semester, I held a learning session on infections of the central nervous system; since this student had a Master’s degree in infectious diseases, I thought this would be a wonderful opportunity for him to shine and hopefully bolster his confidence. After consulting with the student before our learning session, I asked him to share his expertise on a specific topic of relevance during the course of a whole-class discussion: it was so incredibly rewarding to watch him light up as he spoke passionately and authoritatively about this topic. When he was finished, the entire class of 140 students gave him a round of applause. Those are truly the moments you live for as a teacher. Describe how stuttering makes you a better, more valued contributor at work. I’d like to think that I’m a better listener and more compassionate person in general as a PWS; it literally gives me pause in my life! At the same time, my stutter and the journey I’ve taken in becoming more comfortable coexisting with it have impressed upon me how liberating it is to be able to speak your mind without hesitation, no matter what your level of fluency in the moment happens to be. While these influences inform my approach to interacting with people in my research, I think my experiences as a PWS has more profoundly shaped my philosophy as a teacher: I strive to go the extra mile in listening to my students and taking the time to understand their learning and personal needs on a one-by-one basis. I try to serve not only as a content expert, but also a source of mentorship, empathy, and general support. I’d also like to think that the degree to which I’m transparent about my stuttering humanizes me, inviting my students to confide in me in return. What’s your best advice for people who stutter just entering the workplace and for those in a career striving to achieve greater success? Never doubt for a moment that you’re fully qualified to be where you are and doing what you’re doing! You have succeeded in spite of your stutter, and you’re a lot more–and have a lot more to say–than whatever words you may repeat, prolong, or block on. Never be ashamed that you stutter, or about anything else over which you lack control. Don’t hesitate to show some vulnerability by self-disclosing: not only can it be personally empowering, but it also stands to strengthen the relationships between you and those with whom you interact in your workplace. Above all, seek our help and mentorship when you need it: as a PWS, you are never alone!

Learn how James Hayden,a person who stutters, achieved career success. Get inspired by their journey. HLA Technologist James Hayden Briefly describe your daily job duties. I work in the flow cytometry and DNA sections of Ochsner Health’s Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) Lab. I assist with preliminary workups for those in need of an organ transplant, as well as, potential donors. In the flow section, I test to see if there is a reaction between the antigens of a potential donor versus the antigens of a potential recipient, in order to reduce organ rejection. I also test to see if there is a reaction between the patient’s antibodies vs the patient’s antigens, in order to identify auto immune disorders. In the DNA section, I isolate and test donor and recipient DNA to identify their HLA profiles. Other responsibilities include: testing for various diseases (ex. Celiac disease and psoriatic arthritis), quality control of instruments, as well as, reagents, and DNA typing of deceased donors. As a person who stutters, share the most challenging part of your job. Talking on the phone is the most challenging part of my job. Nearly every day I’m on the phone with someone to see where a sample is, confirm a test that we need to run, report results, confirm donor information, and/or confirm patient information. For the most part, I talk to the same group of people about these issues. By this point, they all know I stutter and it’s a non-issue. However, if I am talking to someone new and I begin to stutter I will disclose that I am a PWS, after the stuttering moment ends. 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? I disclosed indirectly. On my resume, I listed my book, Dear World, I Stutter, and various published articles, but my stutter did not come up during my interview. In the past two year and a half years, I’ve become more comfortable with disclosing my stutter. Whenever I meet a new co-worker, I disclose by saying, “You may have noticed that I stutter. All I ask is that you don’t finish my sentences and keep eye contact with me when I stutter. If you have any questions about stuttering, then don’t hesitate to ask me.” What is your proudest moment at your current company? Being selected to give a TED talk at Ochsner’s inaugural TEDx event is my proudest moment. Not only is it the proudest of my time at Ochsner, but it’s one of the proudest moments of my life. What are your long-term career aspirations? Although I like what I do, I want to transition to the corporate side of Ochsner. My ideal role would be in internal employee development. I would also like expand my writing and public speaking opportunities. What’s your best advice for people who stutter just entering the workplace and for those in a career striving to achieve greater success? Disclose the fact that you are a person who stutters as soon as possible. Disclosing allows for the “awkwardness” of stuttering to instantly disappear. Also, don’t allow your stutter to hold you back from going for a project, promotion, or a new opportunity.

Learn how Catherine Moroney,a person who stutters, achieved career success. Get inspired by their journey. Scientific Software Engineer Catherine Moroney Briefly describe your daily job duties. I study clouds and their impact on the climate system by analyzing satellite data. I also assist in the development of the algorithms that take in the raw satellite data and generate scientific products, analyze their performance, and write the official production code. As a person who stutters, share the most challenging part of your job. Participating in conference calls is challenging for me. I find it difficult getting my speech started when the people on the conference call are not aware that I’m trying to speak. Did you self-disclose your stuttering with co-workers, clients and or customers? I’ve been working with the same group of people for years so everyone knows that I stutter. I can’t hide it, nor do I try to. What is your proudest moment at your current company? Working on the same satellite for 25 years and making a substantial impact on its data products brings me a tremendous amount of joy. What’s your best advice for people who stutter striving to achieve career success? Don’t be afraid of stuttering in public and don’t change what you’re going to say based on fear of stuttering.