Join the Miami - Adult stuttering support group. Connect with others, share experiences, and access resources through the National Stuttering Association. Miami ADULT CHAPTER IN-PERSON & VIRTUAL MEETINGS SOUTHEAST REGION Official NSA Chapter - Florida State Welcome to the NSA Miami 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 & 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? Florida International University – College of Nursing and Health Sciences Building (11200 SW 8 Street AHC3A-101) Miami, FL 33199 When? Meetings are held on the 3rd Tuesday every month from 6:30PM – 8:00PM. Zoom link for hybrid meetings is available upon request. Meetings are not held during the summer. Chapter Leaders Who leads the meetings? Angela Medina & Anabel Augustin Chapter Leaders Get in touch! NSAMiami1@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! What are NSA Local Chapters? Local chapters are the heartbeat of the NSA — powerful spaces where you can meet others, share experiences, and feel supported. Whether you’re an adult who stutters or part of a family navigating stuttering together, we have a chapter for you. Learn more about NSA Chapters and find a meeting close to home! Read more about NSA Chapters and plan to attend a meeting near you! What does a local NSA chapter do? How can I find a local NSA chapter? What happens at an NSA meeting? Who attends an NSA Chapter? Do you need to RSVP before joining an NSA chapter meeting? Do you offer virtual chapter meetings? Don’t see an answer to your question? How do I start a local NSA chapter? How do I start a local NSA chapter? Testimonials Read more about the power of chapters and support groups from NSA members themselves! "When I attended my first conference in 2019. I was welcomed into this "stamily" with open arms and haven't left the bear hug since!" Lexi Hewitt Exton, PA Chapter "Other people who stutter are the best sources of support, love, and encouragement on your journey. Don't be afraid to reach out, no matter what stage you're at." Gina Waggott Author, Entrepreneur "This community has helped me rediscover myself as a confident and capable person who stutters." John Ontiveros Lorem, CA Chapter

Meet Jolie Deitchman, a valued member of the National Stuttering Association team. Learn more about their role and contributions. Jolie Deitchman Sisters Who Stutter Digital Marketing Coordinator Jolie Deitchman is the Digital Marketing Coordinator and Secretary of Sisters Who Stutter (SWS), where she supports digital storytelling, content coordination, and online engagement that amplifies the voices of girls and women who stutter. She is also an active member of the National Stuttering Association (NSA) and a Teen Advisory Council (TAC) leader, advocating for inclusive, youth-centered spaces within the stuttering community. Jolie began stuttering at the age of three and has since grown into a confident advocate who uses her lived experience to help shape meaningful, relatable content for peers. In her marketing role, she contributes to social media planning, messaging, and community outreach, helping SWS connect with teens through authentic, empowering communication. A high school cheerleader, Jolie brings energy, creativity, and positivity into everything she does. She is passionate about representation, confidence-building, and using digital platforms to create connection and belonging. Outside of her advocacy and marketing work, Jolie enjoys reading, traveling, spending time with dogs, and indulging her love for Italian food. With her enthusiasm, empathy, and growing leadership skills, Jolie is helping strengthen the digital presence and impact of Sisters Who Stutter while inspiring other teens to use their voices—exactly as they are.

< Back Previous Erika Mueller Presenter Erika Mueller, MA, is a second-year PhD student in the Spartan Stuttering Lab at Michigan State University. Her research interests broadly include public perceptions, normative beliefs and behaviors, and attitudes of stuttering. Next

Join the Rochester - Adult stuttering support group. Connect with others, share experiences, and access resources through the National Stuttering Association. Rochester ADULT CHAPTER IN-PERSON MEETINGS NORTHEAST REGION Official NSA Chapter - New York State Welcome to the NSA Rochester 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? Nazareth College – Smyth Hall Room #163 (4245 East Avenue Rochester, NY 14618) When? Meetings are held on the 2nd Thursday of each month (September to June) from 7:00PM – 8:30PM. Chapter Leaders Who leads the meetings? Rupert Johnson & Greg Feasel Chapter Leaders Get in touch! rjohnso2@naz.edu - - Questions? We know that attending your first NSA Chapter meeting might be a little intimidating so we’ve tried to answer some of your questions! We know once you get there, you’ll be greeted by Chapter Leaders who have been in your shoes before and are happy to welcome you! What are NSA Local Chapters? Local chapters are the heartbeat of the NSA — powerful spaces where you can meet others, share experiences, and feel supported. Whether you’re an adult who stutters or part of a family navigating stuttering together, we have a chapter for you. Learn more about NSA Chapters and find a meeting close to home! Read more about NSA Chapters and plan to attend a meeting near you! What does a local NSA chapter do? How can I find a local NSA chapter? What happens at an NSA meeting? Who attends an NSA Chapter? Do you need to RSVP before joining an NSA chapter meeting? Do you offer virtual chapter meetings? Don’t see an answer to your question? How do I start a local NSA chapter? How do I start a local NSA chapter? Testimonials Read more about the power of chapters and support groups from NSA members themselves! "When I attended my first conference in 2019. I was welcomed into this "stamily" with open arms and haven't left the bear hug since!" Lexi Hewitt Exton, PA Chapter "Other people who stutter are the best sources of support, love, and encouragement on your journey. Don't be afraid to reach out, no matter what stage you're at." Gina Waggott Author, Entrepreneur "This community has helped me rediscover myself as a confident and capable person who stutters." John Ontiveros Lorem, CA Chapter

< Back Previous Maria Shook Presenter Maria Shook is the proud mom of Ian Shook, a teen who stutters. The Shook family has been attending the National Stuttering Association’s (NSA) Annual Conferences since 2021 and are very thankful for the community of support the NSA provides. Maria is a native Delawarean who currently resides in Maryland and works for the Space Telescope Science Institute. Next

Join the Miami - Family stuttering support group. Connect with others, share experiences, and access resources through the National Stuttering Association. Miami FAMILY CHAPTER HYBRID MEETINGS SOUTHWEST REGION Official NSA Chapter - Florida State Welcome to the NSA Miami 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? Hybrid 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? 12600 SW St, Suite 107, Miami, Florida, 33186 When? Meetings are held on the last Tuesday of each month at 6:15 PM, and alternate between in-person and virtual. Please contact the Chapter Leader for more information. Chapter Leaders Who leads the meetings? Mabell Alcantara Vargas Chapter Leader Get in touch! mabell1994@gmail.com (305) 323-6335 - Questions? We know that attending your first NSA Chapter meeting might be a little intimidating so we’ve tried to answer some of your questions! We know once you get there, you’ll be greeted by Chapter Leaders who have been in your shoes before and are happy to welcome you! What are NSA Local Chapters? Local chapters are the heartbeat of the NSA — powerful spaces where you can meet others, share experiences, and feel supported. Whether you’re an adult who stutters or part of a family navigating stuttering together, we have a chapter for you. Learn more about NSA Chapters and find a meeting close to home! Read more about NSA Chapters and plan to attend a meeting near you! What does a local NSA chapter do? How can I find a local NSA chapter? What happens at an NSA meeting? Who attends an NSA Chapter? Do you need to RSVP before joining an NSA chapter meeting? Do you offer virtual chapter meetings? Don’t see an answer to your question? How do I start a local NSA chapter? How do I start a local NSA chapter? Testimonials Read more about the power of chapters and support groups from NSA members themselves! "When I attended my first conference in 2019. I was welcomed into this "stamily" with open arms and haven't left the bear hug since!" Lexi Hewitt Exton, PA Chapter "Other people who stutter are the best sources of support, love, and encouragement on your journey. Don't be afraid to reach out, no matter what stage you're at." Gina Waggott Author, Entrepreneur "This community has helped me rediscover myself as a confident and capable person who stutters." John Ontiveros Lorem, CA Chapter

< Back Previous Ian Shook Presenter Ian Shook is a rising senior who attends Broadneck High School in Annapolis, Maryland. He enjoys photography and being a member of the drumline. Next

< Back Previous Mark Haus Presenter Mark Haus is the father of two boys, Tim and Daniel (Daniel is a person who stutters). Mark is a Systems Engineer for a computer company and lives with his wife, Helene, in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. Mark and his family have been a part of the National Stuttering Association (NSA) for 18 years and always look forward to getting together with the NSA family each summer. Next

Meet Caitlin Franchini, a valued member of the National Stuttering Association team. Learn more about their role and contributions. Caitlin Franchini Professional Relations Committee Caitlin Franchini, MS, CCC-SLP, is a speech-language pathologist and a person who stutters, currently working as a Clinical Research Associate at the Arthur M. Blank Center for Stuttering Education and Research – Atlanta Satellite through the University of Texas at Austin. She received her undergraduate degree from the University of Georgia and her master’s from Georgia State University. Caitlin specializes in developmental stuttering and implements person-focused treatment. In 2023, she received the Distinguished Early Career Professional Certificate from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.

Learn how Chris Heathwood,a person who stutters, achieved career success. Get inspired by their journey. Associate Professor Chris Heathwood Boulder, CO Associate Professor University of Colorado – Boulder Briefly describe your daily job duties. I teach classes in the philosophy department, from introductory-level undergraduate classes to graduate seminars. I am currently the director of our graduate program. I do original research in philosophy — basically writing philosophy papers or books — with the aim of having it published. I present this research at conferences. I supervise graduate students. And I do all kinds of miscellaneous service work for my department, my university, and the wider profession. As a person who stutters, share the most challenging part of your job. If I’m having a bad speech day on a day that I need to be doing a lot of talking — whether because I am teaching or am in meetings — that’s a rough day. I think all people who stutter face this problem from time to time. What are your long-term career aspirations? I am now past the mid-point of my career. I hope to get promoted to full professor next year, and then just continue being a professor until it’s time to retire. Did you self-disclose your stuttering during the job hiring process? Absolutely. Disclosing is probably the single most helpful thing that a person who stutters can do. During the hiring process, I disclosed within the first 60 seconds of opening my mouth. I told people I stuttered. I told them they didn’t have to worry about it or do anything about it, other than wait, and that I was talking about it because it helps me to be open about it. I encouraged them to ask me about it and about how I deal with it in teaching, in giving talks, and in other speech-intensive activities. What is your proudest moment at your current company? I felt most proud when I earned tenure and when my work has been published in prestigious journals. In a more general way, I am very proud of myself for not letting the fact that I stutter stop me from trying to make it in the career I most wanted (professional philosopher). Describe how stuttering makes you a better, more valued contributor at work. I think that my students appreciate that their professor can be open and vulnerable about the challenges he faces. Students have told me that they find it inspiring and that it makes them feel like maybe their own problems don’t need to stop them from doing what they want to do. What’s your best advice for people who stutter just entering the workplace and for those in a career striving to achieve greater success? The most important thing is to be disclosing often (I myself need to be better at following this advice). You can do it with a sense of humor. Another crucial thing is to “set limits.” For example, if a co-worker is always finishing your sentences, and this is something that bothers you and makes you stutter more (that’s what it does to me), you have to ask them to stop. You can do it gently. You can say that you know that they mean well by it, but that it helps you more if they let you finish.

Join the Mesquite - Family stuttering support group. Connect with others, share experiences, and access resources through the National Stuttering Association. Mesquite FAMILY CHAPTER IN-PERSON MEETINGS CENTRAL SOUTH REGION Official NSA Chapter - Texas State Welcome to the NSA Mesquite 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? Mesquite ISD Student Support Center – 714 East Kimbrough Street (Room #B104) Mesquite, Texas 75149 When? Meetings are held on the 3rd Thursdays of each September, November, February, and April from 6:30-7:30PM Chapter Leaders Who leads the meetings? Rebecca Rapattoni Chapter Leader Get in touch! NSA@MesquiteISD.org - - Questions? We know that attending your first NSA Chapter meeting might be a little intimidating so we’ve tried to answer some of your questions! We know once you get there, you’ll be greeted by Chapter Leaders who have been in your shoes before and are happy to welcome you! What are NSA Local Chapters? Local chapters are the heartbeat of the NSA — powerful spaces where you can meet others, share experiences, and feel supported. Whether you’re an adult who stutters or part of a family navigating stuttering together, we have a chapter for you. Learn more about NSA Chapters and find a meeting close to home! Read more about NSA Chapters and plan to attend a meeting near you! What does a local NSA chapter do? How can I find a local NSA chapter? What happens at an NSA meeting? Who attends an NSA Chapter? Do you need to RSVP before joining an NSA chapter meeting? Do you offer virtual chapter meetings? Don’t see an answer to your question? How do I start a local NSA chapter? How do I start a local NSA chapter? Testimonials Read more about the power of chapters and support groups from NSA members themselves! "When I attended my first conference in 2019. I was welcomed into this "stamily" with open arms and haven't left the bear hug since!" Lexi Hewitt Exton, PA Chapter "Other people who stutter are the best sources of support, love, and encouragement on your journey. Don't be afraid to reach out, no matter what stage you're at." Gina Waggott Author, Entrepreneur "This community has helped me rediscover myself as a confident and capable person who stutters." John Ontiveros Lorem, CA Chapter

Join the Hayward - Adult stuttering support group. Connect with others, share experiences, and access resources through the National Stuttering Association. Hayward ADULT CHAPTER IN-PERSON MEETINGS SOUTHWEST REGION Official NSA Chapter- California State Welcome to the NSA Hayward Chapter! 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? Cal State University East Bay (Music Building) 25800 Carlos Bee Blvd., Hayward CA 94542 Music Building, Rm 1592 When? Meetings are held on the 3rd Tuesday of the month at 6:30 PM. Chapter Leaders Who leads the meetings? Zoi Gkalitsiou Chapter Leader Get in touch! zoi.gkalitsiou@csueastbay.edu - - Questions? We know that attending your first NSA Chapter meeting might be a little intimidating so we’ve tried to answer some of your questions! We know once you get there, you’ll be greeted by Chapter Leaders who have been in your shoes before and are happy to welcome you! What are NSA Local Chapters? Local chapters are the heartbeat of the NSA — powerful spaces where you can meet others, share experiences, and feel supported. Whether you’re an adult who stutters or part of a family navigating stuttering together, we have a chapter for you. Learn more about NSA Chapters and find a meeting close to home! Read more about NSA Chapters and plan to attend a meeting near you! What does a local NSA chapter do? How can I find a local NSA chapter? What happens at an NSA meeting? Who attends an NSA Chapter? Do you need to RSVP before joining an NSA chapter meeting? Do you offer virtual chapter meetings? Don’t see an answer to your question? How do I start a local NSA chapter? How do I start a local NSA chapter? Testimonials Read more about the power of chapters and support groups from NSA members themselves! "When I attended my first conference in 2019. I was welcomed into this "stamily" with open arms and haven't left the bear hug since!" Lexi Hewitt Exton, PA Chapter "Other people who stutter are the best sources of support, love, and encouragement on your journey. Don't be afraid to reach out, no matter what stage you're at." Gina Waggott Author, Entrepreneur "This community has helped me rediscover myself as a confident and capable person who stutters." John Ontiveros Lorem, CA Chapter