Join the Philadelphia - Adult stuttering support group. Connect with others, share experiences, and access resources through the National Stuttering Association. Philadelphia ADULT CHAPTER IN-PERSON & VIRTUAL MEETINGS MID-ATLANTIC REGION Official NSA Chapter - Pennsylvania State Welcome to the NSA Philadelphia 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 & 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? La Salle University St Benilde Tower - Room 2002 5540 East Wister Street Philadelphia, PA 19144 When? 1st Thursday of the month, 7:00 - 8:30 PM. Online only 3rd Wednesday of the month (approx.), 7:00 - 8:30 PM - Hybrid: In person at La Salle University and online. Note: in person meetings are subject to La Salle University's availability during the school terms Chapter Leaders Who leads the meetings? Carmen Shapiro Chapter Leader Get in touch! PhillyNSA@gmail.com - https://www.facebook.com/PhillyStutters/ 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? Our purpose is to provide information, advocacy and mutual support for people who stutter, their families, and speech-language pathologists (SLPs). Come join us and experience the NSA’s motto in action: If You Stutter, You’re Not Alone®. How can I find a local NSA chapter? You can find a local NSA chapter by using the chapter locator on our website. Simply enter your location to find the nearest chapter and contact details. Visit our Chapter Locator to find a chapter near you. What happens at an NSA meeting? Your Chapter Leader may prepare a topic for the meeting or might open the floor for discussion and see where things go. Some chapters may also host social events outside of the traditional chapter meeting. The magic of the NSA is just being among other people who stutter, building connections, and having fun while doing it! NSA Chapters give people who stutter, their families and SLPs, a chance to connect and have fun-filled experiences together! Who attends an NSA Chapter? People of all ages who stutter, along with their family and friends, speech-language pathologists (SLPs), and anyone interested in stuttering, are welcome at our chapters! Do you need to RSVP before joining an NSA chapter meeting? You do not need to RSVP, but it is a good idea to let the Chapter Leader know you’re coming. That helps them welcome you and makes your first visit a little easier. Do you offer virtual chapter meetings? Several NSA chapters now meet virtually, making it easy to join from wherever you are. On our Chapter Locator page, you can filter by meeting type and look specifically for virtual or hybrid chapters. When you find one that fits your needs, simply reach out to the Chapter Leader(s) for details on how to join their next meeting. We’d love to welcome you into the community. Don’t see an answer to your question? Email us at info@westutter.org How do I start a local NSA chapter? If you’re interested in starting a chapter, we’d love to hear from you. The NSA can help you understand what’s involved and what support is available. Please reach out to us at info@westutter.org to get started. How do I start a local NSA chapter? Starting a chapter is a great way to build community close to home. Email us at info@westutter.org and we’ll connect you with the guidance and resources you need to get started. You do not have to do it alone. How can I start a new NSA chapter in my area? Starting a chapter begins with reaching out to the NSA so we can help you get set up. We’ll walk you through the next steps, share helpful materials, and support you as you build a welcoming community for people who stutter and their families. 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 Naples - Adult stuttering support group. Connect with others, share experiences, and access resources through the National Stuttering Association. Naples ADULT IN-PERSON MEETINGS SOUTHWEST REGION Official NSA Chapter - Florida State Welcome to the NSA Naples 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? OMNI Balanced Life Center (720 Goodlette-Frank Road #205 Naples, FL 34102) When? Meetings are held on the 1st Monday of each month from 7:00-8:00PM. Chapter Leaders Who leads the meetings? Jennifer Groh & Kaela Coye Chapter Leaders Get in touch! naplesstutters@gmail.com (508) 314-9107 - 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? Our purpose is to provide information, advocacy and mutual support for people who stutter, their families, and speech-language pathologists (SLPs). Come join us and experience the NSA’s motto in action: If You Stutter, You’re Not Alone®. How can I find a local NSA chapter? You can find a local NSA chapter by using the chapter locator on our website. Simply enter your location to find the nearest chapter and contact details. Visit our Chapter Locator to find a chapter near you. What happens at an NSA meeting? Your Chapter Leader may prepare a topic for the meeting or might open the floor for discussion and see where things go. Some chapters may also host social events outside of the traditional chapter meeting. The magic of the NSA is just being among other people who stutter, building connections, and having fun while doing it! NSA Chapters give people who stutter, their families and SLPs, a chance to connect and have fun-filled experiences together! Who attends an NSA Chapter? People of all ages who stutter, along with their family and friends, speech-language pathologists (SLPs), and anyone interested in stuttering, are welcome at our chapters! Do you need to RSVP before joining an NSA chapter meeting? You do not need to RSVP, but it is a good idea to let the Chapter Leader know you’re coming. That helps them welcome you and makes your first visit a little easier. Do you offer virtual chapter meetings? Several NSA chapters now meet virtually, making it easy to join from wherever you are. On our Chapter Locator page, you can filter by meeting type and look specifically for virtual or hybrid chapters. When you find one that fits your needs, simply reach out to the Chapter Leader(s) for details on how to join their next meeting. We’d love to welcome you into the community. Don’t see an answer to your question? Email us at info@westutter.org How do I start a local NSA chapter? If you’re interested in starting a chapter, we’d love to hear from you. The NSA can help you understand what’s involved and what support is available. Please reach out to us at info@westutter.org to get started. How do I start a local NSA chapter? Starting a chapter is a great way to build community close to home. Email us at info@westutter.org and we’ll connect you with the guidance and resources you need to get started. You do not have to do it alone. How can I start a new NSA chapter in my area? Starting a chapter begins with reaching out to the NSA so we can help you get set up. We’ll walk you through the next steps, share helpful materials, and support you as you build a welcoming community for people who stutter and their families. 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 Dallas - Adult stuttering support group. Connect with others, share experiences, and access resources through the National Stuttering Association. Dallas - Adult ADULT CHAPTER IN-PERSON MEETINGS CENTRAL SOUTH REGION Official NSA Chapter - Texas State Welcome to the NSA Dallas Adult 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? Callier Center for Communication Disorders – 1966 Inwood at Stemmons Freeway (I-35) near Parkland Hospital (follow signage for room number) When? Meetings are held on the last Tuesday of each month at 6:30 PM. We also meet for “Chat ‘n Chew” informal gatherings where we discuss a variety of topics, including stuttering while eating good food. Reach out to the Chapter Leaders for more information. Chapter Leaders Who leads the meetings? David Alpuche Chapter Leader Get in touch! DallasStutters@gmail.com - https://www.facebook.com/NSADallas 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? Our purpose is to provide information, advocacy and mutual support for people who stutter, their families, and speech-language pathologists (SLPs). Come join us and experience the NSA’s motto in action: If You Stutter, You’re Not Alone®. How can I find a local NSA chapter? You can find a local NSA chapter by using the chapter locator on our website. Simply enter your location to find the nearest chapter and contact details. Visit our Chapter Locator to find a chapter near you. What happens at an NSA meeting? Your Chapter Leader may prepare a topic for the meeting or might open the floor for discussion and see where things go. Some chapters may also host social events outside of the traditional chapter meeting. The magic of the NSA is just being among other people who stutter, building connections, and having fun while doing it! NSA Chapters give people who stutter, their families and SLPs, a chance to connect and have fun-filled experiences together! Who attends an NSA Chapter? People of all ages who stutter, along with their family and friends, speech-language pathologists (SLPs), and anyone interested in stuttering, are welcome at our chapters! Do you need to RSVP before joining an NSA chapter meeting? You do not need to RSVP, but it is a good idea to let the Chapter Leader know you’re coming. That helps them welcome you and makes your first visit a little easier. Do you offer virtual chapter meetings? Several NSA chapters now meet virtually, making it easy to join from wherever you are. On our Chapter Locator page, you can filter by meeting type and look specifically for virtual or hybrid chapters. When you find one that fits your needs, simply reach out to the Chapter Leader(s) for details on how to join their next meeting. We’d love to welcome you into the community. Don’t see an answer to your question? Email us at info@westutter.org How do I start a local NSA chapter? If you’re interested in starting a chapter, we’d love to hear from you. The NSA can help you understand what’s involved and what support is available. Please reach out to us at info@westutter.org to get started. How do I start a local NSA chapter? Starting a chapter is a great way to build community close to home. Email us at info@westutter.org and we’ll connect you with the guidance and resources you need to get started. You do not have to do it alone. How can I start a new NSA chapter in my area? Starting a chapter begins with reaching out to the NSA so we can help you get set up. We’ll walk you through the next steps, share helpful materials, and support you as you build a welcoming community for people who stutter and their families. 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 Bridge City - Family stuttering support group. Connect with others, share experiences, and access resources through the National Stuttering Association. Bridge City FAMILY IN-PERSON MEETINGS CENTRAL SOUTH REGION Official NSA Chapter - Texas State Welcome to the NSA Bridge City 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 Meeting 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? Hometown Therapy, PLLC 870 Center Street, Bridge City, TX 77611 When? Meetings are held once a month on Thursdays from 5:30-6:30PM. 2024 Meetings: October 24th, November 21st, and December 19th. 2025 meetings will be held on the last Thursday of the month. Please contact the Chapter Leader for more information. Chapter Leaders Who leads the meetings? Carlee Quinn Chapter Leader Get in touch! Carlee.Quinn@hometowntherapy.net (409) 781-2330 - 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? Our purpose is to provide information, advocacy and mutual support for people who stutter, their families, and speech-language pathologists (SLPs). Come join us and experience the NSA’s motto in action: If You Stutter, You’re Not Alone®. How can I find a local NSA chapter? You can find a local NSA chapter by using the chapter locator on our website. Simply enter your location to find the nearest chapter and contact details. Visit our Chapter Locator to find a chapter near you. What happens at an NSA meeting? Your Chapter Leader may prepare a topic for the meeting or might open the floor for discussion and see where things go. Some chapters may also host social events outside of the traditional chapter meeting. The magic of the NSA is just being among other people who stutter, building connections, and having fun while doing it! NSA Chapters give people who stutter, their families and SLPs, a chance to connect and have fun-filled experiences together! Who attends an NSA Chapter? People of all ages who stutter, along with their family and friends, speech-language pathologists (SLPs), and anyone interested in stuttering, are welcome at our chapters! Do you need to RSVP before joining an NSA chapter meeting? You do not need to RSVP, but it is a good idea to let the Chapter Leader know you’re coming. That helps them welcome you and makes your first visit a little easier. Do you offer virtual chapter meetings? Several NSA chapters now meet virtually, making it easy to join from wherever you are. On our Chapter Locator page, you can filter by meeting type and look specifically for virtual or hybrid chapters. When you find one that fits your needs, simply reach out to the Chapter Leader(s) for details on how to join their next meeting. We’d love to welcome you into the community. Don’t see an answer to your question? Email us at info@westutter.org How do I start a local NSA chapter? If you’re interested in starting a chapter, we’d love to hear from you. The NSA can help you understand what’s involved and what support is available. Please reach out to us at info@westutter.org to get started. How do I start a local NSA chapter? Starting a chapter is a great way to build community close to home. Email us at info@westutter.org and we’ll connect you with the guidance and resources you need to get started. You do not have to do it alone. How can I start a new NSA chapter in my area? Starting a chapter begins with reaching out to the NSA so we can help you get set up. We’ll walk you through the next steps, share helpful materials, and support you as you build a welcoming community for people who stutter and their families. 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 Anabel Augustin,a person who stutters, achieved career success. Get inspired by their journey. Youth Case Manager Anabel Augustin Briefly describe your daily job duties. As a Youth Case Manager, I link the families that I work with to resources and services they need. I advocate for my families at school, court, medication management and with anything else they may need. As a person who stutters, share the most challenging part of your job. The most challenging part of my job for me is speaking in meetings and during court cases. 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 did self-disclose my stuttering during the job hiring process. Before starting my formal interview for the job that I was applying for, I told the interviewer, “Before we start this interview, I wanted to let you know that I stutter which means that I sometimes block, repeat words or speak slowly to achieve my level of fluency and to not speak for me.” By self-disclosing, I was able to feel more comfortable, more confident and I did not need to rush because I was able to say exactly what I wanted to say, how i wanted to say it with blocks and all. From my first meeting with my coworkers, I self-disclosed and explained to them how I stutter because so many people stutter differently, and I am always trying to spread awareness about stuttering. Describe how stuttering makes you a better, more valued contributor at work. Stuttering makes me a better, more valued contributor at work because I am a better listener, and I am educating others about people who stutter in meetings, at court and in school settings. I am also trying my best to spread awareness about stuttering and lessening the public stigma about stuttering. What is your proudest moment at your current company? My proudest moment is when a family I was helping was able to obtain all the resources they needed and because of my assistance, they were able to provide for their family because a parent got a job. What are your long-term career aspirations? My long-term career aspiration is to be a speech-language pathologist and help children and other people who stutter. What’s your best advice for people who stutter just entering the workplace and for those in a career striving to achieve greater success? My advice is to stutter with power and self-disclose about your stuttering because the reason people look at individuals who stutter weirdly, chuckle, try to change the subject, and also speak for them is because many people don’t know people stutter and that people stutter differently. Self-disclosing informs them of what’s going on and because they know, the interviewer or coworker will be more patient and understanding. Don’t ever apologize for stuttering — speak freely and proudly!!!

Join the Dallas/Richardson - Kids stuttering support group. Connect with others, share experiences, and access resources through the National Stuttering Association. Dallas/Richardson Kids KIDS CHAPTER HYBRID MEETINGS CENTRAL SOUTH REGION Official NSA Chapter - Texas State Welcome to the NSA Dallas/Richardson Kids 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? Kids 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? Richardson, Texas, 75080 When? Monthly meetings alternate between virtual and in-person social events. Virtual meetings are typically held on the last Wednesday of each month at 7:00-8:30PM. Social events take place quarterly. For details about meetings/events and for any other information, please contact the Chapter Leaders. Chapter Leaders Who leads the meetings? Tabitha South, Linh Tran, Sam Fisk & Abby Carroll Chapter Leaders Get in touch! nsakidsrichardson@gmail.com (281) 235-3101 https://nsakidsdr.wixsite.com/dallasrichardson/chapter-leaders 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? Our purpose is to provide information, advocacy and mutual support for people who stutter, their families, and speech-language pathologists (SLPs). Come join us and experience the NSA’s motto in action: If You Stutter, You’re Not Alone®. How can I find a local NSA chapter? You can find a local NSA chapter by using the chapter locator on our website. Simply enter your location to find the nearest chapter and contact details. Visit our Chapter Locator to find a chapter near you. What happens at an NSA meeting? Your Chapter Leader may prepare a topic for the meeting or might open the floor for discussion and see where things go. Some chapters may also host social events outside of the traditional chapter meeting. The magic of the NSA is just being among other people who stutter, building connections, and having fun while doing it! NSA Chapters give people who stutter, their families and SLPs, a chance to connect and have fun-filled experiences together! Who attends an NSA Chapter? People of all ages who stutter, along with their family and friends, speech-language pathologists (SLPs), and anyone interested in stuttering, are welcome at our chapters! Do you need to RSVP before joining an NSA chapter meeting? You do not need to RSVP, but it is a good idea to let the Chapter Leader know you’re coming. That helps them welcome you and makes your first visit a little easier. Do you offer virtual chapter meetings? Several NSA chapters now meet virtually, making it easy to join from wherever you are. On our Chapter Locator page, you can filter by meeting type and look specifically for virtual or hybrid chapters. When you find one that fits your needs, simply reach out to the Chapter Leader(s) for details on how to join their next meeting. We’d love to welcome you into the community. Don’t see an answer to your question? Email us at info@westutter.org How do I start a local NSA chapter? If you’re interested in starting a chapter, we’d love to hear from you. The NSA can help you understand what’s involved and what support is available. Please reach out to us at info@westutter.org to get started. How do I start a local NSA chapter? Starting a chapter is a great way to build community close to home. Email us at info@westutter.org and we’ll connect you with the guidance and resources you need to get started. You do not have to do it alone. How can I start a new NSA chapter in my area? Starting a chapter begins with reaching out to the NSA so we can help you get set up. We’ll walk you through the next steps, share helpful materials, and support you as you build a welcoming community for people who stutter and their families. 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 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.

Learn how Logan Hall,a person who stutters, achieved career success. Get inspired by their journey. Management Consulting Logan Hall Briefly describe your daily job duties. As a consultant, I am constantly working with clients, whether it be communicating status of deliverables over video calls, coordinating with my team members, or celebrating milestones in person over drinks and food. Speaking verbally is a core part of the job. Initially, this was daunting. But instead, it forced me to practice techniques I learned in speech therapy, and put them to use. As a person who stutters, share the most challenging part of your job. Giving presentations to either clients or internal teams can be challenging. It requires practice of speaking through the material, notating words or phrases that give me trouble, and applying techniques I’ve learned through speech therapy to overcome those hurdles. What are your long-term career aspirations? I plan to stay in consulting for the next 10-15 years. I may eventually want to work for a large auto manufacturer, like Porsche, Volkswagen Group, or BMW. I have a passion for cars and would like to bring the experience I’ve gained in consulting to auto manufacturing. Did you self-disclose your stuttering during the job hiring process? I disclose that I have a speech difference in several situations, including when I interviewed for this job. Anytime I am speaking in front of a large audience, a new client, or a new team I have not previously worked with, I disclose by saying something along the lines of “Bear with me as I speak during the course of this call or meeting, as I have a speech difference. You may hear me have blocks or struggle getting words out, but it’s a totally normal part of who I am”. What is your proudest moment at your current company? I recently presented my stuttering journey to an internal diversity and inclusion (D&I) group that focuses on disabilities. I spoke about my struggles, what I did to overcome them, and guidance for others that are also going through the same thing. At first, it was daunting to speak in front of such a large audience (100+ people), but knowing that everyone on that call was caring and understanding made it not only bearable, but enjoyable. Describe how stuttering makes you a better, more valued contributor at work. Being someone who stutters forces you to work harder. You are constantly thinking of how you will say things. That heightened thought process can carry over to normal day to day tasks, such as critical thinking, planning, meeting with clients, and general task execution. What’s your best advice for people who stutter just entering the workplace and for those in a career striving to achieve greater success? Don’t be afraid to fail. The fact that you made it past the hiring process and have been onboarded shows that the recruiters saw beyond your speech difference and know that you can be a valuable asset to your company. Performing day to day tasks that are “normal” to others, such as making phone calls, giving presentations, etc. may be challenging at first. But the more you are exposed to speaking situations, the more you can practice speech therapy techniques, and the more confident you will become overall.

< Back Previous Kaela Coye Presenter Kaela is a person who stutters and a Master of Science graduate student in Speech-Language Pathology at the University of South Florida. She serves as a Chapter Leader for the National Stuttering Association (NSA) Naples Chapter. Grounded in both lived experience and professional training, Kaela is passionate about stuttering-affirming advocacy, identity-centered care, and challenging fluency-based narratives. She believes stuttering is a valid and meaningful way of speaking and encourages people who stutter to live full, authentic lives without apology. Next

Learn how Ariel Sonn,a person who stutters, achieved career success. Get inspired by their journey. Marketing Coordinator Ariel Sonn Briefly describe your daily job duties. I’m a marketing coordinator for a cybersecurity company, RackTop Systems. Since we’re still relatively small, my job duties range from event planning to digital ad creation to market research. I love that I can dabble in a little bit of everything. It’s a great place to learn what you enjoy best and focus on improving certain skills. It’s also a collaborative environment, which means there’s lots of opportunities to engage with others! As a person who stutters, share the most challenging part of your job. The most challenging part of my job is making a good first impression. I put a lot of pressure on myself to sound perfect when talking to individuals because I know how important first impressions are in an industry that’s exploding with business. Everyday I’m working on incorporating my stutter into the idea of a great first impression. It’s definitely a work in progress! 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 did self-disclose during the interview process. We discussed flex time, so I mentioned that on Wednesdays I attend speech therapy because I’m a person who stutters and would need to fit my schedule around that. It went super well, and my boss was very understanding and supportive. I currently self-disclose to my colleagues by mentioning that I’m going on vacation to attend the National Stuttering Association Conference in July, or by mentioning that I have to leave work a few minutes early to make it to speech therapy. I like to incorporate advertising into the existing conversation because it feels much more natural! It also invites follow up questions from the audience, which is nice. Describe how stuttering makes you a better, more valued contributor at work. Stuttering makes me value good communication SO much. And good communication doesn’t just mean fluent speech. Saying what you want to say, when you want to say it, is critical when working in a fast-paced startup environment. Listening to what others are saying is also very important because it allows you to understand what the common goal is and how you can contribute to it. Because of my stutter, I have excellent communication and listening skills that allow me to provide and reciprocate valuable ideas. What is your proudest moment at your current company? Since starting this new job, I’ve looked at this as an opportunity to “start fresh” and show people that I’m a confident communicator despite having a stutter. With this attitude, I’m able to actually show my stutter and feel less embarrassed and ashamed. I have a bunch of little moments that I’m really proud of, such as moments where I showed stuttering without feeling embarrassed, and moments where I had a more personal conversation about what it’s like having a stutter. It’s the little, daily victories that mean the most to me right now! What are your long-term career aspirations? I love working in marketing because the landscape is always changing. There are endless learning opportunities. One day in the future, I’ll be in an executive position where I’m responsible for creating a highly successful and impactful brand strategies for a company. If I can look at my work and say that I helped grow a company from a startup to an industry leader, then I will have reached my career goals! 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 confident in your abilities. Your stutter, your age, your background, etc. doesn’t affect your abilities as long as you are confident in yourself. We’re living in a society where speaking up is more valued than ever, so don’t be afraid to assert yourself into something if you know you can provide value.

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.