< Back Previous Ashish Gupta Presenter Ashish Gupta is a Seattle-based Software Engineer and holds a master’s degree in Computer Science. A lifelong stutterer, he is passionate about building community through his work with the National Stuttering Association (NSA) Seattle Chapter and the NSA Mentorship Program. When he’s not organizing open mics for the stuttering community in Seattle or coding, Ashish stays active through pilates, Hyrox, and dance, or captures the world through his camera lens. Ashish is also an avid traveler and loves reaching the tops of mountains. Next

If you are 70½ or older, you can make a tax efficient gift directly from your IRA to the National Stuttering Association. Learn how it works and make an impact today. Donor-Advised Fund Instructions Make a tax-efficient gift to the National Stuttering Association through your Donor-Advised Fund. Get Started What is a Donor-Advised Fund? A Donor-Advised Fund (DAF) is a charitable giving account that allows you to make a charitable contribution, receive an immediate tax deduction, and then recommend grants to your favorite nonprofits over time. Think of it as a charitable investment account. You contribute cash, securities, or other assets to your DAF, and those funds are invested for tax-free growth. You can then recommend grants to qualified nonprofits like the National Stuttering Association whenever you choose. DAFs have become one of the fastest-growing charitable giving vehicles in the United States because they offer flexibility, tax advantages, and simplicity for donors. How to Grant from Your DAF Follow these simple steps to recommend a grant to the NSA from your Donor-Advised Fund. 1 Log into your DAF provider Access your Donor-Advised Fund through your provider's website or mobile app (e.g., Fidelity Charitable, Schwab Charitable, Vanguard Charitable). 2 Initiate a grant Look for options like "Recommend a Grant," "Make a Grant," or "Grant Recommendation." 3 Search for National Stuttering Association Many DAF providers have NSA in their database. You can search by name or use our Tax ID: 94-2420533. 4 Enter grant details Specify the amount you'd like to grant and any special instructions or designations (e.g., General Fund, Research Fund, Scholarship Fund). 5 Submit your recommendation Review and submit your grant recommendation. Your DAF sponsor will process the gift, typically within 1-2 weeks. NSA Organization Details Use this information when recommending a grant from your DAF. Legal Name National Stuttering Association Tax ID (EIN) 94-2420533 Mailing Address National Stuttering Association 3261 Richmond Ave, #119 Staten Island, NY 10312 Phone (800) 937-8888 Email info@westutter.org Classification 501(c)(3) Public Charity Optional: Fund Designation If you'd like your DAF grant to support a specific program, you can include this in your grant instructions: General Fund (supports all programs) Research Fund Scholarship Fund Youth Programs Chapter Support Benefits of Giving Through a DAF Donor-Advised Funds offer numerous advantages for charitable giving. Immediate Tax Deduction When you contribute to your DAF, you receive an immediate tax deduction, even if you grant the funds to the NSA later. Simple Record-Keeping Your DAF provider handles all the paperwork and provides consolidated tax documentation. No Capital Gains Donate appreciated assets like stocks or real estate to your DAF without paying capital gains taxes. Anonymous Option You can choose to remain anonymous when making grants from your DAF. Flexible Timing Contribute to your DAF when it's financially advantageous and grant to the NSA when you're ready. Legacy Planning Name the NSA as a beneficiary of your DAF to continue supporting our mission after your lifetime. Popular DAF Providers Most DAF providers have the NSA in their database. Here are some commonly used sponsors: Fidelity Charitable BNY Mellon Charitable Gift Fund Schwab Charitable National Philanthropic Trust Vanguard Charitable Community Foundations (local) Don't see your DAF provider? No problem! You can still recommend a grant to the NSA using the information provided above. Need Assistance? Our team is here to help you with your DAF grant. We can answer questions, provide additional documentation, or walk you through the process. Contact Us Frequently Asked Questions How long does it take for the NSA to receive my DAF grant? Most DAF sponsors process grants within 1-2 weeks. Some may take up to 3-4 weeks. You'll typically receive a confirmation from your DAF provider, and we'll send you an acknowledgment letter for your records. Can I make recurring grants from my DAF? Yes! Many DAF providers allow you to set up recurring grants on a monthly, quarterly, or annual basis. This is a great way to provide sustained support to the NSA. Will I receive a tax receipt for my DAF grant? You received your tax deduction when you contributed to your DAF. The NSA will send you an acknowledgment letter for your records, but your DAF provider's documentation serves as your tax receipt. Can I remain anonymous when granting from my DAF? Yes. You can choose to remain anonymous, and the NSA will only know the grant came from your DAF sponsor. However, if you'd like us to be able to thank you personally and keep you updated on our impact, please consider sharing your contact information. Is there a minimum grant amount? The NSA gratefully accepts grants of any size. However, your DAF provider may have minimum grant requirements (typically $50-$100). Check with your DAF sponsor for their specific policies.

Subscribe to the NSA mailing list for the latest news, events, and stuttering resources. Stay connected with our community. Stay Connected Get updates on local events, resources, and inspiring stories—just for people who care about stuttering. Contact Information * First Name * Last Name * Email City * State / Province Tell Us About Yourself * I am an: Adult (18+) Teen (13–17) Child (12 and under) Person who stutters (PWS) Parent of a child who stutters Family member of someone who stutters Educator or School Counselor Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) Medical professional Other / General Interest * What is your gender? What Would You Like to Hear About? * I’d like to receive updates about: Local chapters & events NSA Connects virtual meetups Teen & Family programs CEU Workshops for professionals The Annual Conference News, articles & success stories How Did You Hear About Us? Select an option I agree to receive emails from the National Stuttering Association. JOIN THE COMMUNITY The National Stuttering Association (NSA) is committed to protecting the privacy and accuracy of your confidential information to the extent possible, subject to provisions of state and federal law. We do not re-distribute or sell personal information collected on our Web servers to third parties that have no right to that information. For more information, please view our entire Privacy Statement. 1-Day Conferences NSA St. Louis 1-Day Conference Sat, Oct 03 More info Oct 03, 2026, 9:00 AM – 2:30 PM CDT Saint Louis University: Il Monastero, 3050 Olive St, St. Louis, MO 63103, USA Join us for a full day of learning, sharing, and connecting with people who understand the stuttering experience at this upcoming 1-Day Conference! +6 more Buy Tickets NSA Kansas City 1-Day Conference Sat, Apr 03 More info Apr 03, 2027, 9:00 AM – 2:30 PM CDT The Quigley at Holy Trinity, 9201 Summit St, Lenexa, KS 66215, USA Join us for a full day of learning, sharing, and connecting with people who understand the stuttering experience at this upcoming 1-Day Conference! +5 more Buy Tickets NSA Washington, DC, 1-Day Conference Sat, May 02 More info May 02, 2026, 9:00 AM – 2:30 PM EDT Don Bosco Cristo Ray High School, 1010 Larch Ave, Takoma Park, MD 20912, USA Join us for a full day of learning, sharing, and connecting with people who understand the stuttering experience at this upcoming 1-Day Conference! +38 more Details NSA Phoenix 1-Day Conference Sat, Apr 25 More info Apr 25, 2026, 9:00 AM – 2:30 PM MST Arizona State University - Coor Hall, 976 S Forest Mall, Tempe, AZ 85281, USA Join us for a full day of learning, sharing, and connecting with people who understand the stuttering experience at this upcoming 1-Day Conference! +51 more Details Local Chapters With 164 active chapters across the United States, there is likely an NSA community near you. Our chapters host regular meetings, family gatherings, and social events where people who stutter and their families can connect, share experiences, and support one another. For many members, their local chapter is the first place they experience something powerful: if you stutter, you are not alone. Find a Chapter Near You

Learn how Kristi Van Winkle,a person who stutters, achieved career success. Get inspired by their journey. Medical Content Writer and Proofreader Kristi Van Winkle Briefly describe your daily job duties. I am a content writer and proofreader for various forms of medical content. Before I started my company, I worked as a registered nurse. I worked primarily in a Pediatric Intensive Care Unit and then an adult Telemetry unit. As a person who stutters, share the most challenging part of your job. Communication is key in the medical profession. Meeting and educating new people every shift, speaking on the phone to doctors and other professionals or family members, giving report to oncoming nurses, and communicating effectively in high-stress situations were all challenging to me as a person who stutters. What are your long-term career aspirations? I want to build my business as high as I can. I have no desire to return to the bedside, but I want to use the medical knowledge and expertise I have gained there to help others and provide the highest quality services possible. Did you self-disclose your stuttering during the job hiring process? I did always mention my stuttering during job interviews. It was never an issue. I generally only mentioned it to co-workers and patients if I was having a particularly hard time speaking that night. I found that this put them at ease, knowing this was something I dealt with regularly and not a result of the situation. Sometimes people would assume I didn’t know what I was doing and I was stuttering nervously. Letting them in on the “secret” seemed to put their minds at ease and even instill some respect from some. What is your proudest moment at your current company? The moment I took the plunge and stepped away from the bedside to start my own company was amazing. I have wanted to write my whole life. Let’s be honest, it’s much easier than talking! Walking away from that hospital after handing in my badge and cleaning out my locker was so freeing! Describe how stuttering makes you a better, more valued contributor at work. I have had several opportunities to use my stuttering to encourage people. Patients or families are often relieved to see that what some consider an impediment has not been as big a problem as one would assume. I have had parents and families ask me all kinds of questions about working with “handicaps” and I have been able to encourage them and put their minds at ease. 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 listen to the naysayers. It doesn’t matter as much as you think it does. It doesn’t matter as much as they think it does. I had a nursing instructor tell me during a clinical that I would never be an effective nurse if I didn’t get my stuttering under control. She was wrong.

< Back Previous DM Forker Presenter DM Forker is a person who stutters and has stuttered for more than 50 years—he doesn’t remember a time in his life when he spoke fluently. He has an identical twin brother who does not stutter. DM has been married to his high school sweetheart for over 30 years, and together they have two daughters, one of whom also stutters. He lives in Nebraska and works as a criminal investigator for a local Sheriff’s Office. In his spare time, he enjoys being with his family, hiking, fishing, camping, and training for 100‑mile ultramarathon races. Next

Looking for a speech therapist who understands stuttering? The National Stuttering Association offers guidance, referral links, and questions to ask before starting therapy so you can find the right Speech-Language Pathologist for your needs. Your Guide to Finding the Right Speech Language Pathologist Speech therapy can play an important role in helping people who stutter build communication confidence and develop strategies that support their goals. Choosing the right Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) is a personal decision. The best therapeutic relationships are built on trust, respect, and an understanding that every person's experience with stuttering is unique. Speech Therapy Consultation Different approaches work for different people, and no therapy can guarantee permanent fluency. Effective therapy focuses on helping individuals communicate with greater confidence, develop strategies that support their goals, and improve overall quality of life. What Makes Speech Therapy Successful Research shows that therapy is often most effective when: The clinician has specialized training and experience working with people who stutter. The clinician and client develop a strong therapeutic alliance, built on mutual trust and open communication. Therapy goals focus on communication effectiveness, confidence, and real-world participation. Before beginning therapy, it can be helpful to schedule a consultation with potential SLPs. This conversation allows you to learn about their approach and determine whether you feel supported and understood. Questions to Ask a Potential SLP Asking thoughtful questions can help you identify whether a therapist's philosophy aligns with your goals. Q: How do you view stuttering? RED FLAG RESPONSE “My goal is to help you speak fluently all the time.” HEALTHY RESPONSE An SLP should acknowledge that stuttering is a neurological condition and discuss ways to support communication, confidence, and participation rather than promising fluency. Q: What does a typical therapy session look like? RED FLAG RESPONSE “We’ll practice until you get rid of your stuttering.” HEALTHY RESPONSE Effective therapy often includes a mix of communication strategies, emotional support, and real-world speaking practice. Q: How do you balance fluency strategies with stuttering acceptance? RED FLAG RESPONSE “I’ll teach you techniques to hide your stuttering.” HEALTHY RESPONSE Many modern therapy approaches encourage both communication tools and openness about stuttering. Q: What resources or communities do you recommend for people who stutter? RED FLAG RESPONSE “I don’t really know of any stuttering communities.” HEALTHY RESPONSE A knowledgeable SLP should be familiar with community resources such as support groups, conferences, and organizations that connect people who stutter. Q: How do you respond when a client stutters openly in therapy? RED FLAG RESPONSE “I’ll stop you and remind you to use a fluency technique.” HEALTHY RESPONSE Supportive clinicians create space for open communication and help clients explore strategies without pressure to hide or suppress stuttering. For more information about therapy approaches, visit the Stuttering Treatment Options page to learn about: Fluency shaping Stuttering modification Stutter-affirming therapy Early intervention approaches Speech-Language Pathologist Referral List Specialty Board on Fluency Disorders The Specialty Board on Fluency Disorders maintains a directory of SLPs who have advanced training in stuttering and meet peer-reviewed standards as board-recognized specialists. Visit Website Spero Stuttering Spero Stuttering's Ally of Stuttering certification recognizes SLPs who demonstrate a stutter-affirming approach and a commitment to continued education and advocacy. Visit Website GlobalSpeech GlobalSpeech is a student-created tool that maps nearly 2,000 speech therapy centers across the United States and parts of North America with easy state-by-state filters. Visit Website Important Note The National Stuttering Association does not evaluate or warrant the competency of individual therapists and cannot guarantee treatment outcomes. Always speak directly with professionals and ask questions before beginning therapy. Other Helpful Resources Stuttering Programs and Camps The NSA maintains a list of workshops, intensive programs, summer classes, and camps for children, teens, and adults who stutter. View Programs NSA Local Chapters The NSA offers 164 local chapters across the United States for adults, families, teens, and children who stutter. Meetings provide a safe, judgment-free space to connect with others who understand the experience of stuttering. Find a Chapter American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) ASHA is the professional organization representing speech-language pathologists and audiologists. Resources include certification standards, evidence-based practice guidelines, and information about insurance coverage. Visit ASHA.org Spero Stuttering, Inc. Spero Stuttering advocates for the stuttering community and provides education and funding opportunities that support professionals working with people who stutter. Spero Funding Opportunities Need More Help? Looking for a speech-language pathologist or additional support? The National Stuttering Association can help connect you with trusted resources. Contact the NSA Last Updated: October 2025 Author: National Stuttering Association Marketing & Education Team with contributions from Nicole Kulmaczewski, MS, CCC-SLP, Jacqueline Toscano, SLP.D. CCC-SLP, Caitlin Franchini, MS, CCC-SLP and Megan M. Young, ABD, CCC-SLP

Meet Mandy Finstad, a valued member of the National Stuttering Association team. Learn more about their role and contributions. Mandy Finstad Communications Coordinator Mandy has been an active part of the NSA since 2009, and currently resides in the mountains of Northern Virginia with her husband, PWS Jean Finstad, and their Irish Wolfhound, Granger. She graduated from George Mason University in 2000 with a B.A. in Psychology and continued on to graduate studies at The Catholic University of America and University of Ulster. Mandy has been invited to speak to several groups and has given many interviews on being the spouse of a person who stutters, and has also written an e-book chapter on the topic. In her spare time she enjoys running, hiking, yoga, reading, knitting, true crime podcasts, craft beer, and spending time with Jean and Granger.