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.

Join the Cookeville - Adult stuttering support group. Connect with others, share experiences, and access resources through the National Stuttering Association. Cookeville ADULT CHAPTER IN-PERSON MEETINGS SOUTHEAST REGION Official NSA Chapter-Tennessee State Welcome to the NSA Cookeville 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? The Table Board Game Lounge 18 W Spring Street, Cookeville, TN 38501 When? 3rd Sunday of each month 1:30-3:00 Central Time First Meeting on October 19, 2025 Chapter Leaders Who leads the meetings? Shannon Buford Chapter Leader Get in touch! cookevillestutters@gmail.com 931-644-7074 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 Alexandra Russo,a person who stutters, achieved career success. Get inspired by their journey. M.S. - Speech Language Pathology Alexandra Russo Briefly describe your daily job duties. I am a full-time, second year speech language pathology (SLP) graduate student. I conducted teletherapy with adults who have aphasia in Spring 2021. I also participated in a fluency (stuttering) workshop this past summer. Currently, I am doing my student teaching at a special education preschool and I work with children who have autism. I am an ambassador for my school and a peer mentor to first year SLP graduate students. I have participated in research for the physical therapy and speech language pathology programs. I volunteer and do extracurriculars in my program as much as I can to build my résumé and stay active. For example, I volunteered to participate in a dysphasia (swallowing) workshop for a day this past summer and got to practice using the scope on a robot patient. As a person who stutters, share the most challenging part of your job. The most challenging part of being a full-time graduate student who stutters is sounding professional and fluent simultaneously. Formal presentations, oral participation and recounting of information in front of my professors and peers is stressful as is but even more stressful for a person who stutters because you have to think about the information you will be saying as well as being fluent. It’s a very professional setting in graduate school and trying to sound formal paired with fluency is difficult but rewarding when you succeed. Thus far, I have worked and practiced very hard with my speaking to sound the best that I can as a person who stutters. Of course, having stuttering-like disfluencies is inevitable; even having normal disfluencies will be present. However, I always keep lifting my head up high and strive to do better the next time. What are your long-term career aspirations? I plan to specialize in fluency down the road as a certified SLP. What that means is if someone wants therapy just for stuttering, my name will pop up if they search an SLP who specizlies in it. I also plan to work in both the medical and educational setting as well. Did you self-disclose your stuttering during the job hiring process? Before graduate school, even in undergraduate, I tried to forget about my stutter; I pushed it to the back of my mind. I felt ashamed of it all my life. It wasn’t until graduate school and being in the professional setting and learning in depth about my impairment, along with other speech-language disorders, that I began to come to terms with my stutter and started to look at it as a strength. I started this journey of acceptance and slowly decreased my avoidance behaviors. I told my class that I had a fluency disorder in my first year of graduate school and since then my journey has only improved. I reached out to my past SLP I had in elementary school, began to be more open about my stutter, actally had fluency therapy with a SLP I can proudly call a friend now, joined a stuttering support group and started to advocate for myself. For example, I try to let professors know about my stutter and ask if I can go first when doing presentations. This allows me to avoid the anxiety, that might heightened my stutter, that waiting to present brings. What is your proudest moment at your current company? My proudest moment would be when I completed a very difficult case study presentation for my Autism class this semester. We had to present a case study on a client we work with in the school system in under five minutes. I practiced a lot in advance and asked my professor if I could go first (advocating is key for me). I did really well in orally presenting the information in a timely manner and received an A for the project. Describe how stuttering makes you a better, more valued contributor at work. Stuttering creates a sense of having a non-judgemental mentality and provides me with an immense amount of patience, especially with my clients. It also generalizes to life; to not assume or overthink when someone is different in either the way they speak, look or think. Someone may not have control in certain aspects of their life and with stuttering, I have realized that. 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 first advice to people would be to have courage, be brave and not compare yourself to others. However, bravery and willingness arrive at different times for people who stutter. I just started my journey a year ago so it took me a while to finally start living with my stutter instead of avoiding it. Everyone has different journeys and periods in their life when they are ready to face their stutter head on. I would tell everyone in NSA, my future clients and honestly my younger self, that they will know when their time has arrived to start progressing in their journey, and in the meantime, there are support groups and social media pages they can always turn too. But I know personally, the emotional trauma stuttering brings. Unfortunately no matter who you talk or turn to, that trauma will linger. So my second advice would be is to find positive outlets to obscure the emotional impact stuttering brings on a daily basis.

< Back Previous J. Scott Yaruss Presenter J Scott Yaruss, PhD, CCC-SLP, BCS-SCF, F-ASHA, is a professor of communicative sciences and disorders at Michigan State University, and PI for an NIH-funded project on stuttering variability. His research focuses on the experiences of people who stutter, with particular emphasis on ways that speech-language pathologists (SLPs) can help to diminish the adverse impact that is often associated with stuttering. He is a former member of the board of directors of the National Stuttering Association and recipient of the NSA’s SLP of the Year and Hall of Fame awards. Next

Find support and resources tailored for college students who stutter. Access scholarships, programs, and more. Stuttering Support for College Students Written by: Marina Piazza Hearing from others who have gone before you can often help you to navigate new or difficult situations. Read on as some of our NSA’ers discuss their opinions about how stuttering relates to college. Classroom The classes that you will encounter in college will probably differ from the classes that you have experienced in high school. College classes are often larger, require independent work, and demand more critical thinking skills. However, if you are a person who stutters, do not assume that all universities only have huge lecture halls and you won’t have to speak up in class. This is simply not true! Many universities offer smaller classes and seminars courses, especially for first year students. It is important to participate in class and ask questions, especially if the subject matter is difficult. You don’t want to fall behind from your classmates just because you were afraid to speak up. If you feel comfortable doing so, you can approach your professors privately after the lecture and tell them that you stutter and that it may take you a longer time to get your thoughts out in class. It may be necessarily to approach your professor if you are taking a public speaking class or are enrolled in a course which requires you to make timed oral presentations. The professor can then make accommodations for you, if needed. It is crucial for you to be proactive to maximize your educational experience to ensure your success in college and eventually, your future career. -Chani Leaving the Comforts of Home Starting college is a challenging experience because you will be leaving everything familiar to you back at home. It can be especially difficult for you, a teenager who stutters, because you will be leaving those closest to you who understand your history with stuttering, advocate on your behalf, and want you to succeed. However, you may find that beginning college can feel like a huge relief because you will be starting with a clean slate. Your classmates and professors will not have any prior assumptions about you and your speech. If your stutter is mild, people may not even realize that you stutter! You will probably find that students in college are less judgmental than your classmates in junior high and high school. However, it is important to keep in mind that regardless of your present level of fluency, your stuttering may get worse when you first begin college. You will be entering a new environment, the coursework will be stressful, and you will be meeting dozens of new people. If you were in speech therapy in high school, it can feel scary to “be on your own” controlling speech. Anticipate that your speech may be less fluent and be mentally prepared for what you will do if and when that happens. If you learnt fluency-shaping or stuttering modification techniques in therapy, continue to practice those in college. Try to get enough sleep, stick to a healthy diet, and find ways for you to relax. Most importantly, stay positive and keep in touch with those who love and care for you back at home- family, friends, neighbors, therapists- and that will make the adjustment way easier. -Chani College Students Attitude The students in college overall are a lot different than high school. The students tend to be more mature and less judgmental then high school from my experience. College students seem to be a lot more accepting of stuttering and all other disabilities even though I don’t consider stuttering a disability. Depending on what type of college you choose there are usually a lot more students than high school so it is not like you are stuck with the same people in every class. If you do come across someone in college who isn’t accepting of your stuttering most likely you won’t see them very often depending on the size of your college. If you do come across them often you can most likely avoid them because of how many students there are unlike high school. So far in college I have not had any negative experiences with my stuttering. My transition into the “college life” was a lot easier than I thought it would be. -Garrett Langer Finding Therapy/Support in College In college you can often get speech therapy on campus especially if your college has speech language pathology as a major and has clinics on campus. I receive therapy at my college for a discounted rate compared to what the general public pays because I am a student. Speech therapy can be expensive especially when trying to pay for college so having discounted speech therapy available is really cool. I also think that therapy in a college clinic setting is really cool not only for us, but for the graduate students. When you receive therapy by the graduate students most likely you are the first person who stutters that they have ever worked with. I feel that not only are they going over tools and other things that I want to work on, but I feel that I am able to educate them on my experience with stuttering which may help the next person who stutters that they give therapy to.-Garrett Langer General College Topics I personally used stuttering in my college application. It has been a major part of my life and its helped my overcome some events and shape who I am. I freely disclose stuttering on every essay where I have the chance. As for dorm life, I didn’t let it bare any effort on where I ended up. When my new roommate and I contacted each other, I explained that I stutter and she was okay with it. I figured if I am comfortable with my speech, she will be too. There isn’t a lot of therapy that I consider to be helpful and the fact that I go to school in a remote area doesn’t help either. My friends as a whole support me in my speech so I have that going for me. Leaving the comforts of my “home” was more of a personal thing with leaving my life and civilization behind. I went from one of the largest cities in America to a village which was quite depressing. The difference from high school to college is that you pretty much have to “have you your own back” . Be ready to stand up for yourself and make your own way. Meeting people for the first time is tough plus classrooms sometimes aren’t as intimate as it might be in high school. It can be intimidating raising your hand in a big lecture class. Honestly, going to college as a person who stutters isn’t a really big deal. People are more open because people are more “mature” in their thinking. If you don’t want to talk to anyone then you don’t have to and if you do then you find people who click. College seems scary because others have fear attached to their stuttering. Drop the shield and the fear and dive right in.

Meet Gabriela Perez, a valued member of the National Stuttering Association team. Learn more about their role and contributions. Gabriela Perez DEI Committee Leader Gabriela is a person who stutters and currently works for the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) in their State Supreme Court Initiative. Gabriela graduated from the University of Chicago with a degree in Global Studies and Latin American and Iberian Languages and recently completed a Fulbright teaching fellowship. Growing up with a stutter, Gabriela is passionate about disability rights and is proud of her involvement in the National Stuttering Association. She enjoys spending time with her family (two sets of twins!) and pets. Gabriela strongly believes in making the National Stuttering Association a more diverse, inclusive, equitable, and safe environment for all. She is excited to lead the DEI committee and work to increase access for marginalized people who stutter.

< Back Previous Emily Root Presenter Emily Root is a speech pathologist and college professor in New Jersey. She feels incredibly fortunate to work with people of all ages who stutter. She is the daughter of a mother who stutters and is passionate about stuttering acceptance for all. Emily loves to travel, run, and attend 80s and 90s concerts. She also loves spending time with her husband, two adult children, rescue dog, and two cats. Next

< Back Previous Wendy Dietz Presenter Wendy Dietz is a speech-language pathologist, stuttering advocate, and the founder of Lifetime Speech and Stuttering Therapy, LLC. Her pursuit of stuttering education and best practices has lasted over a decade, spanning Colorado, Wyoming, New Zealand, and Texas. Her education ranges from traditional fluency therapy to the Blank Center’s CARE model. Wendy practices from a neurodiversity-affirming framework, prioritizing confidence, presence, and quality of life in communication. She provides professional development for speech-language pathologists, schools, and businesses, and is proud to have helped bring Green Social to Colorado. She is a Spero Stuttering Ally Seal recipient. Next

Learn how Dr. Saundra Russell-Smith,a person who stutters, achieved career success. Get inspired by their journey. Elementary School Principal Dr. Saundra Russell-Smith Briefly describe your daily job duties. I recently graduated with my doctorate degree in Educational Leadership and am currently an elementary school principal in Joliet, Illinois. I talk to students, teachers, parent, and community members all day in an effort to improve student achievement and engagement at Carl Sandburg School. Did you self-disclose your stuttering during the job hiring process? I am quite good at being a covert stutterer. If I do stutter during an interview, I allow people to assume that it’s because I’m nervous even though I’m not. Describe how stuttering makes you a better, more valued contributor at work. All of us are struggling with something deeply personal. Mine just happens to make its appearance when I open my mouth. After attending my first National Stuttering Association annual conference, I made a commitment to no longer be a covert stutterer. I’ve been open with my stuttering ever since. What is your proudest moment at your current company? I earned my doctorate degree at the end of my first year as a principal, which is typically the toughest year. My staff and students surprised me with a huge celebration, secretly inviting my whole family and my professors! My students made presentations and my staff presented me with a picture of the entire staff and student body! It was amazing! What are your long-term career aspirations? I want to continue to work as an educational leader, preferably as an education professor working with new teachers, specializing in trauma informed classrooms. 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 yourself. I used to think that my stutter was a curse, something to hide from everyone, including myself. I have since realized that my stutter is my greatest gift. It’s one of the things that makes me uniquely qualified to do what I do and that is to inspire children, educators, and families to do the impossible, whatever it may be for them. Some days, I feel I’ve done the impossible for myself.

Join the Sacramento - Adult stuttering support group. Connect with others, share experiences, and access resources through the National Stuttering Association. Sacramento ADULT CHAPTER VIRTUAL MEETINGS SOUTHWEST REGION Official NSA Chapter - California State Welcome to the NSA Sacramento Chapter! The National Stuttering Association’s® motto: If You Stutter, You’re Not Alone®, is what our NSA Chapters are all about! Chapter meetings are open to people who stutter, family members of people who stutter, speech-language pathologists (SLPs), and anyone that wants to learn more about stuttering. Feel free to reach out to the Chapter Leader(s) to find out more about our chapter. We hope you will join us! How do you typically meet? Virtual Meetings What age group can attend? Adult What languages are spoken? English How much does it cost? Free! Meetings Here is information on the location and schedule of our meetings. Reach out to the Chapter Leader(s) for more information! Where? Meetings are held virtually. When? Meetings are virtual and are held monthly on the 3rd Tuesday of every month at 7PM. Please contact Chapter Leaders for more information. Chapter Leaders Who leads the meetings? Amber Kennedy, Jeremiah C. Williams & Robert Cox Chapter Leaders Get in touch! nsasacramentochapter@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? 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

< Back Older Adults Committee Spotlight: Jim McClure – A Legacy of Leadership and Lifelong Advocacy Few people have impacted the NSA quite like Jim McClure has. With 41 years of unwavering involvement, Jim has become a cornerstone of the NSA and a national voice for people who stutter. His story began in Chicago, where he helped organize a self-help group that eventually affiliated with the NSA (then the NSP). His dedication to community, advocacy, and awareness grew from there. “I’ve made a second—or maybe third—career out of stuttering advocacy,” Jim says with pride. Over the years, he has used his expertise to serve the NSA, the Stuttering Specialty Board, and ASHA’s Certification Council, pushing for greater representation, understanding, and professional accountability for people who stutter. One of Jim’s most notable contributions was organizing a publicity campaign around the release of The King’s Speech. His work significantly boosted the NSA’s visibility and sparked national conversations about stuttering, identity, and support. “Learning to take risks with my speech helped my career, and using my professional skills to help the NSA has been a source of satisfaction.” Today, Jim continues his leadership as a member of the Older Adults Committee, helping offer mentorship and a mature perspective to our growing group of members aged 50 and older. His advice to those new to the NSA? “Use the opportunity of conferences and chapter meetings to venture into uncomfortable speaking situations and master them.” Get to know Jim: Favorite ice cream: Chocolate swirl Nature pick: Desert Favorite film to rewatch: Master and Commander Pet status: Emotional support human to a cat Fun fact: Jim spent 25 years serving in the U.S. Navy Jim’s contributions to the stuttering community span decades, platforms, and lives. Thank you, Jim, for your lifetime of leadership, compassion, and bold dedication to the NSA! Previous Next

Join the Beaumont - Adult stuttering support group. Connect with others, share experiences, and access resources through the National Stuttering Association. Beaumont ADULT CHAPTER VIRTUAL MEETINGS CENTRAL SOUTH REGION Official NSA Chapter - Texas State Welcome to the NSA Beaumont Chapter! The National Stuttering Association’s® motto: If You Stutter, You’re Not Alone®, is what our NSA Chapters are all about! Chapter meetings are open to people who stutter, family members of people who stutter, speech-language pathologists (SLPs), and anyone that wants to learn more about stuttering. Feel free to reach out to the Chapter Leader(s) to find out more about our chapter. We hope you will join us! How do you typically meet? Virtual Meetings What age group can attend? Adult What languages are spoken? English How much does it cost? Free! Meetings Here is information on the location and schedule of our meetings. Reach out to the Chapter Leader(s) for more information! Where? Virtual meetings are held on Zoom. When? Virtual meetings are held on the 1st Thursday of each month from 6:30-8:00PM. Meetings are held on Zoom. For details about meetings and for any other information, please contact the Chapter Leader. Chapter Leaders Who leads the meetings? Stefanie Becerril Chapter Leader Get in touch! sbecerril1@lamar.edu (409) 880-8174 - 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