Active & Previously Approved Stuttering Research Studies The National Stuttering Association (NSA) reviews and approves stuttering-related research studies to help ensure ethical standards, transparency, and respect for people who stutter. This page includes a regularly updated list of active stuttering research studies currently recruiting participants, as well as previously approved studies whose approval periods have concluded. Inclusion on this list indicates that a study has been reviewed by the NSA Research Committee. It does not imply endorsement of specific findings or outcomes. Active Stuttering Research Studies (Currently approved and recruiting participants) RESEARCH TITLE RESEARCHER(S) EXPIRES Effects of Psilocybin on Speech Fluency, Struggle, and Brain activity in People who Stutter Dr. Eric Jackson 11/05/2026 Childhood Stuttering: Risk Factors to Social Anxiety Dr. Kim Bauerly 10/11/2027 The Impact of Acceptance of Stuttering on the Use of Fluency Strategies in Adults Who Stutter Seabrook Easterling 10/11/2027 Social Network Analysis of Youth who Stutter Dr. Naomi Rodgers 10/11/2027 Neural Mechanisms Of Socially Driven Variability in Stuttering Courtney Luckman 10/11/2027 Self-Disclosure and Psychological Resilience in Adults Who Stutter: A Mixed-Methods Study of Relationships, Influencing Factors, and Lived Experiences Ladan Khoshbin 07/31/2027 Urinary Metabolic Profiles in Adults Who Stutter: A Descriptive Study of Biological Diversity Dr. Gregory Snyder 06/29/2027 Speech Accessibility Project – Stuttered Speech Collection for Inclusive Speech AI Dr. Shaomei Wu 06/18/2027 Discussing Observable Disability Survey Dr. Kathleen Bogart 06/17/2027 Dopamine and sensorimotor function in stuttering Dr. Hantao Wang 03/31/2027 OratorSync: Exploring the Types, Causes, and Treatments of Stuttering while Developing and Testing AI Tools to Help Mitigate it Ojas Desai (High School Scholar) 12/21/2026 Relationship Between Stuttering and Intimate Partner Violence Leah Mumpower 03/08/2027 Coping Flexibility and Psychosocial Well-being of Adults Who Stutter Sadaf Salehi 02/22/2027 Hot and Cool Executive Function of Children Who Do and Do Not Stutter Matt Hopper 02/17/2027 Career Advice Reported by People Who Stutter Samiksha Gaur 02/17/2027 Self-help for stuttering: More than mutual aid Molly Stevenson 02/17/2027 Stuttering and Sleep: Does it Matter? Kenzie Beard 02/17/2027 Neural and Behavioral Error Responses in Adults who Stutter Shogo Honda 02/17/2027 Exploring Adults’ Lived Experiences of Stuttering Through a Trauma-Informed Lens Dr. Naomi Rodgers 02/17/2027 Network Connectivity and Temporal Processing in Adolescents Who Stutter Dr. Shanley Treleaven 2/23/2026 Audiovisual Integration in People Who Stutter Dr. David Jenson 6/22/2026 Systematic client feedback in speech-language treatment Dr. Kerry Ebert 6/5/2026 Development of authentic avatars for clinical education in stuttering Dr. Shelley Brundage 6/5/2026 Social Anxiety, Worry, and the Experience of Stuttering Dr. Seth Tichenor 6/5/2026 Genetic and metabolic bases of developmental stuttering Dr. Joan Orpella 6/22/2026 Linguistic preferences in adults who stutter Dr. Mahmoud Elsherif 10/16/2026 Stuttering in Daily Life Research Study Dr. Jeanne Nakamura 12/31/2026 Acceptance as Agency: Rethinking Fluency Strategy Use in Adults Who Stutter Seabrook Easterling, Jennifer Atkins M.S., CCC-SLP, and Xia Jing, M.D. & Ph.D. 11/1/2026 If you have any questions about the research process or would like to know more about a specific project, please contact the NSARC Chair Angela Medina, Ph.D., CCC-SLP. Previously Approved Recruitment Projects (2022–2025) (Approval period has ended) Research Title Researcher(s) Approved Until Listener Perception and Childhood Stuttering Haley Warner 5/01/2025 Quantifying Variability in Stuttering in the Real World Dr. J. Scott Yaruss 6/14/2025 Social Network Analysis in Adults Who Stutter Dr. Naomi Rodgers 6/14/2025 Impact of Support Group Conferences on Teens Joy Kling 6/16/2025 AI Accessibility for People Who Stutter Dr. J. Scott Yaruss 6/17/2025 Parent Survey: Preschoolers Who Stutter Ryan Millager 10/22/2025 Real-Time Listener Reactions & Stuttering Courtney Margulis 10/22/2025 Sequencing & Initiation in Speech Production Dr. Frank Guenther 10/22/2025 Hope, Humor & Self-Stigma in Adults Who Stutter Dr. Laura Plexico 10/22/2025 Stuttering Mindsets Megan Arney 10/28/2025 An online compassionate imagery intervention for people who stutter/stammer: A feasibility study Benjamin Farmer 9/30/2025 Rhythm Production and Processing in Children and Adults Who Stutter Janina Boecher 10/22/2024 Exploring Sensorimotor and Interoceptive Awareness in Stuttering Hazel Malcolm 10/22/2024 Multiple Stigmas, Social Identities, and Stuttering Dr. James Mancinelli 10/22/2024 Temporal Processing in Adults Who Stutter Samira Anderson 10/22/2024 Parents of Individuals Who Stutter: Experiences & Stages of Change Sadaf Salehi 10/22/2024 Acknowledging Stuttering with Preschoolers Dr. Cara Singer 10/22/2024 Social Isolation and the Experience of Stuttering Seth Tichenor 10/22/2024 Transitions to Life After High School Dr. Naomi Rodgers 06/22/2024 Migrants to the U.S. Who Stutter Dr. Victoria Reynolds 06/20/2024 Effectiveness of a Mindfulness App Juhee Kim 06/20/2024 Variability in Fluency and Psychological Impact Eddie Brown 06/19/2024 Trait Mindfulness and the Experience of Stuttering Megan Arney 06/19/2024 Anticipation of Stuttering and the PAiS Robert Bies 02/22/2024 Understanding the Experience of Stuttering and Cluttering Dr. J. Scott Yaruss 06/14/2024 Neural Oscillations and Speech Perception in Stuttering Dr. Shanley Treleaven 06/20/2024 What Do People Who Stutter Want From Speech Therapy? Matthew Phillips 07/24/2024 Linguistic and Cognitive Factors in Stuttering Dr. Zoi Gkalitsiou 02/22/2024 Spanish-Language Support Group Study Dr. Angela Medina 02/14/2024 For any questions about research, or to learn more about specific projects, please contact the NSARC Chair Angela Medina, Ph.D., CCC-SLP.

Contributor: Kerri Berard, MS, CCC-SLP One of the most frustrating parts of stuttering is that it can feel unpredictable. You may speak freely in one conversation and struggle in the next. You may be able to talk easily with a close friend, then find it harder to say your name, answer a question in class, order food, introduce yourself at work, or speak on the phone. For people who stutter and the people who love them, this can raise a lot of valid questions: Why does stuttering increase or decrease across days? Why does it change depending on the person, place, or situation? Why can someone say a word once, then get stuck on that same word later? The answer is relatively straightforward: Stuttering isn’t a fixed or universal experience. It changes because communication is influenced by many factors, including the body, brain, emotions, the environment, pressure, fatigue, and a person's state of mind at that moment. And none of that means a person who stutters is doing anything wrong. Read: What Is Stuttering? Read: Causes of Stuttering Why does stuttering change day-to-day? Some days, speech may come easier. On other days, words may take more time. A person might stutter more when they are excited, nervous, rushed, interrupted, or trying to say something important. They may also stutter more in situations where they feel watched, judged, or under pressure to speak quickly. This variability is one of the reasons stuttering can be so misunderstood. When someone has a fluent moment, others may assume they can control their stutter. When they stutter more, people may assume something is wrong, that they are anxious, or that they are not trying hard enough. But stuttering isn’t a choice, nor is it something a person can turn on or off. Why do people stutter more in some situations? Many people who stutter find that their speech changes with shifts in pressure. Pressure can look like: Having to speak in front of a group Being asked to introduce yourself Needing to answer quickly Speaking to someone in authority Saying your name Making a phone call Being interrupted Trying not to stutter This doesn’t mean stuttering is caused by nerves or anxiety. It means that speech is complex and pressure can make an already complex situation feel even more so. Read: Facts About Stuttering Read: Myths About Stuttering Can stuttering get worse when someone is tired? Absolutely. In general, talking takes energy. For people who stutter, it can sometimes be more draining, especially when they are having blocks, repetitions, tension, avoidance, or carrying the emotional weight of past negative speaking experiences. Stuttering may increase when someone is: Tired Overwhelmed Sick or ill Stressed Hungry Overstimulated Mentally drained A child who stutters may speak more easily in the morning and stutter more after a long school day. An adult may feel more fluent in a relaxed meeting and less so after a demanding week. All of this is completely normal and part of the stuttering experience. Why can someone say a word once but stutter on it later? People often wonder why someone might stutter on their own name or a sentence they have said many times before. But stuttering is about how speech is produced in that moment, not about not knowing what to say. A person often knows exactly what they want to say and can still have difficulty getting the word(s) out. That can be frustrating, especially when the word is familiar or important. This is why comments like “just slow down,” “take a breath,” or “you said it fine earlier” are generally unhelpful. Check this out: Free Printable Brochures & Resources About Stuttering Read: Simple, Supportive Ways to Talk to Children About Stuttering What should I do when someone is stuttering? The way people respond to stuttering can affect how safe a speaking situation feels. A patient, accepting listener can make communication feel easier. A listener who interrupts, finishes sentences, looks uncomfortable, or gives unwanted advice can make a person feel more pressure. That pressure doesn’t necessarily cause stuttering, but it can make the moment harder to speak openly. There is no one-size-fits-all answer, but here are some supportive ways to respond: Give the person time to finish their own thoughts Keep natural eye contact Don’t finish their sentences (unless they ask you to) Focus on the message, not the speech Avoid telling them to slow down, breathe, or relax Create spaces where stuttering is accepted, not treated as a problem to hide For parents, teachers, friends, coworkers, and family members, understanding the variability of stuttering can help reduce shame and pressure. Instead of asking, “Why are you stuttering so much today?” We suggest asking, “How can I make this conversation easier for you?” For people who stutter, it can also help to connect with others who understand. Community can be life-changing because it reminds people they are not alone, even on the hardest days. At the National Stuttering Association (NSA), we have several ways you can connect with others who understand, such as virtual events, NSA Chapters, and regional and annual conferences, at WeStutter.org. While there is no single stuttering experience, the day-to-day changes in stuttering variability are real and valid. The emotional impact, too. That’s why support is so important. One of the best things listeners can do is give the person time. Listen to what they are saying, not how it sounds or how long it takes them to say it. If you stutter, you are not alone At the NSA, we believe that people who stutter should not have to face these experiences alone. Through community, education, advocacy, and support, we help create spaces where stuttering is understood, accepted, and respected. A person who stutters may sound different from one day to the next, but one truth stays the same: If you stutter, you are not alone. To learn more and to get involved with the NSA, visit WeStutter.org.

Written by Olga Bednarski Editor's note: Olga’s submission has been edited for clarity. I used to experience speaking as if I were sitting in an exam. Every conversation had a predetermined outcome, standard, and expectation. Every phone call was a test. Every introduction, question, or social interaction was an opportunity to either succeed or fail. The strange thing was that the exam and my frantic preparation for it often started long before I actually opened my mouth. If I knew I was going to meet someone, answer a question, or speak in a group, my mind would start rehearsing. I searched for the "right" words and imagined exactly how I would say them: at what speed, on a full breath or an empty one, while smiling or keeping my face neutral. I dissected every tiny aspect of my speaking experience, anticipating where I might get stuck and how I would handle it if I did. Then my mind produced scenarios. I could see myself running out of breath or getting stuck on a word. I could feel the silence of a block. I imagined people giving me funny looks or turning away in discomfort. I tried to read their minds, judging them while judging myself. Without realizing it, I was rehearsing to fail, creating an internal movie of my own failure and playing it on repeat. I was essentially priming myself for the very experience I was desperately trying to avoid. It was a horror film that only a person who stutters could fully comprehend. I was both the protagonist and the audience member watching myself fail. The exam had begun and I hadn't even entered the room yet. Looking back, I can see how much energy went into trying to make speaking go "right." How did I sound? Was I fluent enough? Did they notice I was "different"? Did I swap that word quickly enough? I thought I was trying to communicate and avoid being "found out" as an impostor in a world of perfect speakers. But I wasn't communicating; I was performing. There was an invisible audience in my head, even when nobody was judging me. The more I tried to control it, the less natural and more stress-provoking it became. Think about driving: If you are a hyper-anxious driver, constantly anticipating everything that could go wrong and micromanaging every movement, you don't become safer. You become tense. The journey becomes exhausting for you and uncomfortable for your passenger. Speaking was exactly like that for me. Underneath it all was one rigid assumption: My speech must be fluent and perfect. I must not lose control. The funny observation I made, looking back, is that I even tried to hide my breathing while speaking because I didn't want to give away my agitation or nervousness. One of the biggest things I wish I had understood earlier is that I was playing a game with my speech: How well can I speak? Every interaction gave me a score. Sometimes the score felt good; sometimes it felt devastating. Either way, I was trapped inside my own bizarre performance. I was not fully with the other person—I was watching myself be with them. No wonder social interaction felt so draining, both mentally and physically. Then something began to change. I became interested not only in how I spoke, but also in my relationship with speaking. What if I didn’t have "to win"? What if speaking wasn't an exam or performance? What if I could speak, stumble, pause, lose my words for a moment—and remain completely unfazed by it, carrying on with what I wanted to say, knowing I was still completely worthy of being heard? I gave myself permission to take up space, have an opinion, and speak before I had perfectly prepared what I was going to say. I started to feel more at home in my own world, more at peace, and discovered a true sense of belonging. I reconciled with the fact that I might be imperfect and that it was no reason to feel bad or "less than." Once that performance pressure eased, I could breathe. I could listen and hear the other person instead of being consumed by the particulars of my own performance. The social anxiety that haunted me for years lessened significantly, and as a result, my social life improved. I now wanted to meet new people—something I would not easily agree to do before, even if you paid me. Because I had stopped controlling, surveying, and creating so much stress and tension, I soon found myself getting carried away by conversations and actually enjoying speaking. I became completely consumed by the conversation itself—just enjoying it, fully present. Most of the time, there would be no trace of stuttering; in those moments, I had forgotten how to stutter. No one would ever suspect I had stuttered because my focus was entirely on the connection. The speech performance stopped being the central piece on the stage of my life—it moved into the background where it always belonged. If you stutter, you may have spent years trying to fix the moment of speech: the word, the block, the breath, the technique. But what happens if we look one step earlier? If speaking has become an exam, the struggle isn't only happening during the moment you speak—it begins with the belief that you are being tested. What if you stopped playing that game? Instead of asking, "How perfectly fluent can I be, or how can I avoid stuttering?", what if you asked: How freely can I speak? How fully can I participate? How present can I be? How willing am I to let another person hear me exactly as I am? Freedom does not begin with perfect speech. It begins when speaking no longer feels like a test.

Maddie Nichols, WeStuttter@Work Committee The hardest part of speaking sometimes isn't the act of speaking itself. It's the 10 seconds before and after the interaction. It's the inner voice telling you, "I should have said this word instead," or, "They're going to think I'm incompetent because it took me 2 minutes to say something that someone else could have said in 30 seconds." My inner voice is something I fight with regularly and it can be quite loud and disruptive. When the voice presses in and I feel like I can't escape, I take a deep breath and remember that I have the power. I can change my inner monologue to whatever I want it to be. My body is my vessel and I am in control of my thoughts. In a world where presentations feel big and staff meetings feel stressful, the ability to remain positive in the face of adversity is an asset to the person who stutters. And I'm not talking about toxic positivity; I'm talking about realistic positivity. Speaking situations can be tough, and that is something we need to acknowledge, but there is a way to remain positive without forcing the feelings. We don't need to silence the inner voice; we need to shift its content. What does shifting the content look like? "That took me 2 minutes to say; I could have done better." → "I got my point across and the listener received the information." "I sounded incompetent." → "I know what I am talking about and I got the information to the appropriate parties." "My stutter makes me difficult to listen to." → "My words are important and worth waiting for." "I need to hide my stutter." → "This is how I talk and I don't owe anyone fluency." These content shifts can have a big impact on how you approach speaking opportunities. If you approach these challenges with an optimistic attitude and a focus on delivering the message, you are more likely to exude confidence to your audience and leave the conversation with a sense of triumph. No one is saying you must say "I love my stutter" because chances are you don't. And that’s fine. However, developing the ability to reframe your inner voice from criticism to realistic, upbeat self-talk is a skill that will help you in your professional journey. When we focus on shifting the content of our inner voice from inherently negative to upbeat and positive, we aren't just changing what we hear. We are changing how we arrive at and picture work. When you approach work-related speaking opportunities with a shift in your inner voice, the entire job feels lighter and less stressful than before.

Written by: Lexi Hewitt, NSA Content Contributor Reading never goes out of style. Books can help you lose yourself in someone else’s story, or they can feel like looking into a mirror. Many authors have shared their stuttering journeys through film, music, painting, and writing. These books can help people who stutter see themselves in print and can help our allies understand what it’s like to communicate differently from those around them and create a moment of representation and compassion for people who stutter. Discover a curated list of titles from the National Stuttering Association (NSA) community, spanning graphic novels to young adult memoirs, for your Stuttering Book Club's next monthly read. These books offer diverse perspectives on stuttering and, as starting points for discussion and connection, help readers explore their identities and connect with others on a similar stuttering journey. The following book list contains affiliate links. The NSA may earn a commission from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you. Books About Stuttering for Adults & Teens (Ages 16+) Explore books about stuttering, from personal stories and memoirs to resources that offer insight, understanding, and support for people who stutter and those who want to learn more. WAR for WORDS by DM Forker An honest memoir from the 2026 Annual Conference keynote speaker. This inspiring story follows a life with stuttering from childhood to his golden years, offering insight into navigating an invisible speech disability that can be painful and inspiring. Scatman John: The Remarkable Story of the World's Unlikeliest Popstar by Gina Waggot John Larkin—a fast-living, hard-playing, stuttering jazz pianist—overcame abuse, addiction, ageism, and obscurity to stage one of the most improbable debuts in pop music history by turning his greatest pain into his purpose. Please note that this includes references to substance use. Out With It: How Stuttering Helped Me Find My Voice by Katherine Preston Part memoir, part exploration of identity — this is an honest, moving look at adulthood with a stutter. Perfect for older teens navigating voice, acceptance, and advocacy. Stuttering: From Shame and Anxiety to Confident Authenticity by Hanan Hurwitz A researcher who stutters shares evidence-based practices and philosophies for overcoming shame and anxiety, easing physical and emotional struggle, and living with confidence and self-acceptance in relation to their stutter. Stutterer Interrupted: The Comedian Who Almost Didn’t Happen by Nina G Nina G is a stand-up comedian and a proud person who stutters. Her story is bold, funny, and empowering, especially for students exploring self-acceptance. Dear World, I Stutter: A Series of Open Letters From A Person Who Stutters by James Hayden To process his story and accept his stutter, a person who stutters wrote a series of open letters to those who had been, or would be, on his stuttering journey. These letters offered an honest, vulnerable look into the heart and mind of a person who stutters. Stuttering Pride and Prejudice: Difference Not Defect by Patrick Campbell The first published book to examine stuttering from a social model perspective, celebrating communication differences and educating about the diversity of stuttering. Limitless Leader: Leading Beyond Your Disability by Dr. Sandra Russell-Smith Educator Dr. Russell-Smith details shifting from concealing her stutter to embracing it as an authentic leadership asset. She offers guidance to navigate a world that often overlooks disabilities through her transformative LEADER framework. 1000 Answers: What Everyone Should Know About Stuttering by David Alpuche An engaging, informative read for anyone wanting a deeper understanding of stuttering. Drawing on hundreds of personal stories from around the world, it is a key resource for people who stutter, their families, speech therapists, and interested readers. My Voice Matters: Understanding the Emotional Toll of Stuttering by Kelley M. Duren-Jones This memoir follows a heartfelt journey of resilience and self-discovery, emphasizing the value of all voices—including covert stutters—and advocating for communication diversity. By sharing personal struggles, the author inspires readers to overcome fear, shame, and self-doubt to embrace their true voice. Life on Delay: Making Peace with a Stutter by John Hendrickson Written by journalist John Hendrickson—who previously profiled Joe Biden’s experience with stuttering for The Atlantic—this memoir reflects on self-acceptance and the ongoing reality of living with a stutter. Please note: it includes references to substance use. Stuttering to the Top by DaVon B. Camp In his debut memoir, the speaker and senior-level director in the federal government shares his journey toward self-acceptance and career success after his son's stutter diagnosis. The book guides readers who stutter toward confidence, success, and embracing imperfections. Stuttering is Cool: A Guide to Stuttering in a Fast-Talking World by Danielle Rossi As a person who has stuttered since the age of four, cartoonist and podcaster Daniele Rossi shares his own experiences and methods for breaking out of the covert shell and becoming a cool, confident person who stutters. Words Unspoken: The Science, Experience, and Treatment of Stuttering by Tom Lovett Rooted in his own experience as a stutterer, author Tom Lovett takes the reader on an extensive but accessible tour of this peculiar world that hides in plain sight through modern academic research. Every Waking Moment: The Journey to Take Back My Life from the Trauma and Stigma of Stuttering by Christopher Anderson In this open and heartfelt debut memoir, the author reflects on growing up with a stutter and discovering self-acceptance through authentic human connection. The book reminds readers that while a stutter shapes daily choices about whether to speak up or remain quiet, it never dictates your future. Please note: it includes references to substance use. Stuttering: Inspiring Stories and Professional Wisdom by StutterTalk Publications, Taro Alexander, and Joel Korte Written by people who stutter and leading professionals, this 25-chapter collection explores personal experiences and speech tools. Key topics include covert and voluntary stuttering, navigating fear and avoidance, community connection, substance abuse, LGBT perspectives, and self-acceptance. The Stuttering Stoic: How an Ancient Philosophy Helped Me Find My Voice by Vince Vawter In this memoir, Vince Vawter shares how Stoic philosophy helped him navigate a lifetime of stuttering. Moving beyond simple stories of triumph, he explores living well with ongoing challenges. Drawing on Marcus Aurelius, Epictetus, and Seneca, Vawter details how Stoic practices guided him from shame and self-protection toward steadiness, perspective, and quiet confidence. Living with Stuttering: Stories, Basics, Resources, and Hope by Kenneth O. St. Louis Living with Stuttering is an accessible resource for anyone interested in speech disorders or human experience. Ken St. Louis outlines current practice, clinical thinking, and historical context alongside testimonies from twenty-nine individuals shaped by stuttering. These diverse personal accounts highlight themes of heartbreak, acceptance, and success, showing how people are both unique and fundamentally alike. Stuttering: A Life Bound Up In Words by Marty Jezer "As a stutterer who is always afraid of speaking but is rarely able to keep his mouth shut, I have a story to tell," writes Marty Jezer in this insightful book about speech, silences, and everyday communication. Jezer shares his lifelong struggle with fluent speech and his attempts to cure it through therapy, meditation, oration, breathing exercises, and experimental drug trials. While supportive of existing therapies, he emphasizes that identity, self-acceptance, and self-esteem are just as crucial as fluency techniques. Black Swan Green by David Mitchell Selected by Time as a Top Ten Book of the Year, this novel by New York Times bestselling author David Mitchell follows thirteen-year-old Jason Taylor over one year in 1982 Worcestershire, England. Across thirteen distinct chapters, it crafts a vividly observed coming-of-age story of a teenager who stutters. Mindfulness & Stuttering: Using Eastern Strategies to Speak with Greater Ease by Ellen-Marie Silverman, Ph.D. Speech pathologist Dr. Ellen-Marie Silverman, an ASHA Fellow with 40+ years of experience, uses her 16-year mindfulness practice to ease her own stuttering. In Mindfulness & Stuttering, she addresses common concerns and presents six mindfulness techniques to help manage stuttering through a holistic approach. Solo Ascent by Matthew LaRue Solo Ascent tells the story of Ron Park, who struggled to express himself in an unaccepting world until he found freedom from judgment in the mountains. Setting My Words Free: Inspirational Messages for Adults Who Stutter by Vince Markowsky Setting My Words Free features 300 daily inspirational messages encouraging a holistic approach to stuttering by addressing social, emotional, and attitudinal factors alongside physical speech changes. It promotes wellness and stress management routines to support fluency, fostering self-acceptance, openness, and freedom from fear and shame. Jaguar: One Man's Struggle To Establish The World's First Jaguar Preserve by Alan Rabinowitz In 1983, zoologist Alan Rabinowitz traveled to Belize to study wild jaguars and establish the world's first jaguar preserve. Achieved within two years, Jaguar offers his first-hand account of this effort. First published in 1986, this updated edition features a new preface and epilogue connecting his story to contemporary regional and global developments. STUMBLING BLOCKS AND STEPPING STONES: A Journey of Fortitude and Faith by Timothy Paul Gardner Reflecting on the journey of living with a stutter while seeking spiritual connection and faith, this deeply personal narrative provides a religious perspective on stuttering. The Gift of Stuttering: Confronting Life's Challenges: A Personal Journey by Moe Mernick In this inspiring memoir, the author shares a faith-centered perspective on stuttering, detailing his path from despair to purpose as he turned life's obstacles into success as an entrepreneur and speaker. 100 Questions and Answers About People Who Stutter: A Listener's Guide by Michigan State University School of Journalism Developed by Michigan State University journalism students in collaboration with people who stutter and stuttering experts, this research-based guide answers 100 common questions about stuttering and offers practical advice for becoming a more supportive listener. A helpful resource for people who stutter, as well as friends, family, educators, coworkers, and others. Whether you are looking for a mirror of your own journey or a window into someone else’s, these books offer more than a story; they offer community. By embracing these narratives, we validate the diverse experiences of people who stutter and foster an environment grounded in compassion and courage. Through our Amazon storefront, we invite you to pick up one of these titles today, read their stories, and connect, reflect, and celebrate the power of every voice. It directly supports our efforts to reach people who stutter and their loved ones, and to educate speech-language pathologists and anyone who wants to learn more about stuttering. Looking for more resources on stuttering, local chapters, or professional support? Visit WeStutter.org, where the NSA is here to help.

Written by: Lexi Hewitt, NSA Content Contributor Representation is powerful, especially in communication. Books that highlight stuttering create understanding and empathy and empower students who stutter to see their voices reflected in stories. For classmates, these books foster compassion. For children or teens who stutter, they affirm that their experiences are valid and that their voices matter. From representation in elementary school libraries to middle school reading assignments, these resources help classrooms build a culture of acceptance and celebrate communication in all its forms. Here is a curated list of age-appropriate titles to easily expand your classroom library. The following book list contains affiliate links. The NSA may earn a commission from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you. Picture Books About Stuttering for Kids Ages 3-8 Picture books that introduce stuttering, help children understand differences in the way people communicate, and encourage positive conversations about stuttering. Finn Finds His Voice by Travis Althouse Written by a speech therapist who stutters, Finn Finds His Voice is a new, uplifting children’s book about courage, resilience, and self-acceptance, showing that every voice is worth sharing. I Talk Like a River by Jordan Scott A poetic and visually stunning picture book that captures the emotional experience of stuttering through nature imagery. A must-have for every classroom. Zoya: The Stuttering Star by Sathvega Somasundaram The story of a young girl who dreams of becoming a superhero but feels different because she stutters. When she discovers that her words spark magic, she embraces her uniqueness, earns the name “The Stuttering Star,” and inspires others to see their differences as strengths. Sydney’s Special Voice by Kelly Nixon Written by an author who stutters, this heartwarming story follows Sydney as he learns to embrace his special voice, build confidence, and recognize the importance of supportive friends. Stutterland by Wendy Aguilar Inside the whimsical journey to Stutterland, children meet others who stutter, reminding them they are not alone. With heartfelt storytelling and painterly illustrations, this book helps turn stuttering from something hidden and intimidating into something children can understand, discuss, and face with hope. Stutterland: The Reactions We See by Wendy Aguilar This sequel encourages children to explore the emotions that can come with stuttering while building empathy for both themselves and the people around them, and asks the reader to consider the many emotions, uncertainties, and misunderstandings that can exist within moments of communication. Just Ask!: Be Different, Be Brave, Be You by Sonia Sotomayor Featuring a character who stutters, Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor and artist Rafael López created a beautiful book that celebrates differences as kids, all special in their own way, build a community garden together. Brayden Speaks Up: A Story About Stuttering by Brayden Harrington In this inspiring nonfiction picture book, thirteen-year-old Brayden Harrington shares his empowering national speech, encouraging everyone to embrace their voice. Unstuck by Stephen Groner Written by a speech-language pathologist who stutters, "Unstuck" follows two children who stutter. With down-to-earth prose and vibrant illustrations, it offers children who stutter an empowering message of hope. Steggie's Stutter (Dinosaur Friends) by Jack Hughes Steggie struggles to speak because of her stutter, leaving her unable to warn her friends about the dangerous Dark Forest before they get into trouble. This charming tale offers young readers gentle guidance on patience, friendship, and accepting differences. When Oliver Speaks! by Kimberly Garvin Written by a 13-year-old boy and his mother, the story follows a main character who doesn't want to give a class presentation and puts it off until the last day. He works with his mother to embrace his stutter and tackle the assignment head-on. Perfect for the Back to School season! Stuttering Stan Takes A Stand by Artie Knapp Teased and bullied for his stuttering, Stanley the squirrel refuses to show that his feelings are hurt until one day he learns an important lesson from a new friend. Something to Say about Stuttering by Eden Molineux Each book in the “Something to Say” series, written by a speech-language pathologist, features a character with a communication difference. This book features Alex, who loves dirt biking, soccer, and helping his mom with his sister. He also stutters and shares what it's like for him, along with ways to make communication easier. When the Stammer Came to Stay by Maggie O'Farrell Award-winning author Maggie O’Farrell, who wrote “Hamnet,” draws on her own experience with stammering/stuttering to show how it can affect self-esteem, while the support of loved ones, especially a sibling, can help you rediscover who you are. Stuttering Henry by Henry Charles Henry is an elementary school student who is smart, outgoing, and supported by his family. He loves learning but struggles to participate in class. One day, he is called on to read aloud and gets an unexpected response. What do you think will happen next? Ben Has Something to Say: A Story About Stuttering by Laurie Lears To help a neglected dog he sees at a junkyard, Ben, who stutters, begins to confront his fear of speaking. Adventures of a Stuttering Superhero: Adventure #1 Interrupt-itis by Kim Block Melissa is a brave superhero who stutters and confronts a student who keeps interrupting her and finishing her sentences. Join Melissa on her journey as she tries to cure him of his interrupt-itis and see how she ultimately figures out how to stop him. Adventures of a Stuttering Superhero: Adventure #2: Melissa Meets her Stamily by Kim Block In this sequel, superhero Melissa attends her first stuttering community event. Meeting adults and kids who stutter inspires her, leading to lifelong friendships and revealing the true meaning of "Stamily." Books for Kids & Tweens (Ages 8-13 Stories that explore stuttering, communication, friendship, and being yourself—great for kids and tweens who stutter and anyone who wants to better understand stuttering. Tales of Mischief, Mayhem and Mirth by Danielle Rossi This graphic novel follows Franky Banky, a stuttering fox, who stumbles through hilarious misadventures while explaining his speech to others and dealing with unsolicited advice, as well as the funny looks he gets when he speaks. Paperboy by Vince Vawter A Newbery Honor novel about an 11-year-old boy who stutters and takes over a friend’s paper route in 1950s Memphis. As he navigates new challenges, difficult encounters, and the realities of growing up in the segregated South, he begins to find confidence in his own voice. A powerful coming-of-age story about courage, resilience, and learning that stuttering doesn’t have to define who you are. Copyboy by Vince Vawter In this sequel, a Fall 2018 Junior Library Guild selection, copyboy Victor’s college plans are delayed by a final request from his mentor, Mr. Spiro, and a gathering storm that tests his journey—while also introducing someone special who changes Victor’s life. Manboy by Vince Vawter The final Paperboy novel follows 21-year-old Victor as he looks forward to a reunion after three years, but Martin Luther King Jr.'s assassination disrupts his weekend plans. Set during a pivotal moment in the Civil Rights Movement, it shows our main character what it means to be an adult. Jayson Goes for It! by Brayden Harrington Eighth-grader Jayson thrives on the basketball court with his friends, brushing off classmates who tease him for his stutter. But when his best friend Gloria is barred from the debate team because of her speech, Jayson realizes he must take a stand. This middle-grade debut explores the courage it takes to advocate for what is right, showing that any voice can make a difference. Wildoak by C.C Harrington To escape the pressures of school and the constant effort to hide her stutter, Maggie hesitantly travels to stay with her little-known grandfather in Wildoak Forest. Told through alternating perspectives, Wildoak is a beautifully crafted story of empathy and connection that weaves together the human, animal, and natural worlds. The Boy Who Made Everyone Laugh by Helen Rutter Billy Plimpton, an eleven-year-old with a big dream of becoming a stand-up comedian, wants to deliver punch lines and captivate audiences. But his stutter makes it tough—how will he find his voice if it doesn’t let him speak? Who Do You See? The Struggles of a Teenager Who Stutters by Sean George A thoughtful story about a teenager who stutters and the unfair biases, stereotypes, and misconceptions he encounters because of the way he speaks. Through his experiences and his mother's encouragement, he learns to look beyond what others think of him and focus on his own strengths, dreams, and future. Draw Your Stutter by Daniele Rossi Join Franky Banky, a fox who stutters, and his sidekick Ti-Ger, a tiger who represents Franky Banky’s stutter, on a fun, creative journey to design your own cartoon character based on your stutter. Logan's Legendary Voice by Veronica R. Washington An empowering middle-grade story about Logan, a creative young boy who stutters and struggles with self-doubt and stage fright. With support from his friends and family, Logan learns to embrace his voice and discover the strength in being himself. Books can open the door to empathy, challenge misconceptions, and create classrooms where students who stutter feel truly seen. Whether you’re a parent reading a bedtime story to your children or a teacher planning a read-aloud for middle schoolers, these recommended titles from the NSA provide powerful entry points for conversations about stuttering and communication diversity. You can browse and purchase these picture book titles on our Amazon Storefront, which directly supports the world's largest nonprofit organization dedicated to people of all ages who stutter, as well as their families and professionals. Looking for more classroom resources, activities, or professional support? Visit WeStutter.org, where the National Stuttering Association is here to help.

Contributor: Eldon Solomon, MS, LMHC, LCAC Stuttering and anxiety can show up in the same moment, which makes them easy to confuse. A person may stutter more during a presentation, a phone call, a job interview, or a personal introduction. From the outside, it may appear that nervousness or anxiety is causing the stuttering. The relationship is a bit more complicated than that. Stuttering is a natural speech difference characterized by repetitions, prolongations, blocks, and other disruptions in the flow of speech. Anxiety is an emotional and physical response that can accompany stressful or potentially threatening situations. The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) explains that stuttering has genetic and neurophysiological influences. Stress and anxiety may affect how much a person stutters in a particular moment, but emotional responses don't cause developmental stuttering itself. “Anxiety as an emotional experience and anxiety as a mental health condition get confused a lot and lumped into the same category,” said Eldon Solomon, MS, LMHC, LCAC, via email. Eldon is a person who stutters and a mental health practitioner who works with individuals and couples managing complex trauma responses in their relationships. His work also examines human behavior, internal resistance, decision-making, and communication under pressure. He believes an important starting point is separating the everyday experience of anxiety from a diagnosable mental health condition. Stuttering Is Not a Sign of Nervousness People who stutter often know exactly what they want to say. They can be confident, prepared, knowledgeable, and comfortable while still experiencing repetitions, prolongations, or blocks. Stuttering can also vary considerably. Someone may speak with fewer noticeable disfluencies in one conversation and stutter more in the next. The listener, setting, time pressure, subject, and effort involved in trying not to stutter can all affect a person’s stuttering experience. That variability doesn't make stuttering a sign of insecurity. A difficult speaking moment doesn't mean someone lacks confidence and a more fluent moment doesn't mean their stutter has suddenly disappeared. Comments such as “relax,” “slow down,” or “take a breath” can add pressure by suggesting the speaker is doing something wrong. A better response is to remain present, listen to the person’s message, and follow their preferences. Some people want time to finish a sentence themselves, while others appreciate help with a word. When you are unsure, just ask. Speaking Anxiety Can Grow From Experience For many people who stutter, fear of communication didn't arise in a vacuum. It may have developed after years of negative speaking experiences. As a result, someone who expects an adverse reaction to their stuttering may become anxious before ordering food, introducing themselves in social settings, making a phone call, or speaking during a meeting. That anxiety can be an understandable response to previous experiences rather than evidence that the person’s concerns are irrational. “When a person experiences the stress of teasing, discrimination, or the impatience of others who want to correct or finish our sentences when we are stuck, that stress creates anxiety as a direct emotional response,” Eldon said. “It can also lay a foundation for lingering emotional triggers because our internal system is reacting to a real, external threat.” A stressful speaking experience alone doesn't establish an anxiety disorder. The National Institute of Mental Health describes anxiety disorders as involving more than occasional fear or worry. Anxiety may persist, occur across many situations, intensify over time, and interfere with work, school, relationships, or everyday activities. A qualified mental health professional can consider how long the anxiety has been present, how broadly it affects the person’s life, and whether it is causing persistent distress or avoidance. This assessment should account for the fact that people who stutter may have faced genuine social consequences for the way they speak. Anxiety May Be Difficult for Others to See Anxiety doesn't always look like visible nervousness. A person who stutters may substitute words, avoid saying their name, remain silent during meetings, choose messaging over phone calls, let someone else order for them, or decline personal or professional opportunities that require speaking. On top of that, some people expend considerable energy to hide their stutter. This is often referred to as covert stuttering and notes that the amount of observable stuttering doesn't necessarily reflect its emotional, social, or functional impact. At its most disruptive, Eldon says, the anticipation of stressful interactions can affect how a person responds before the conversation even begins. “We can become hypervigilant to situations where high-stress social interactions will cause us to either fight or flee,” said Eldon. “We can become very agitated when our internal triggers are forced to engage the situation when our capacity is geared to survive versus thrive. We will develop avoidant and dissociative patterns of behavior to cope with something that feels threatening and outside of our ability to manage, both behaviorally and emotionally.” This description may resonate deeply with some people who stutter, while others may not identify their experiences as trauma. A therapist should allow the individual to describe what speaking situations feel like without assigning an experience or diagnosis to them. Avoidance can also serve different purposes. It may be a protective response, a practical choice, an attempt to hide stuttering, or a sign that anxiety is restricting someone’s life. The most useful question is whether the person feels able to make choices freely or feels controlled by fear. Stuttering-Affirming Mental Health Care Stuttering-affirming care begins with the person’s goals. A therapist should accept stuttering as a valid way of speaking while helping the client address anxiety, shame, avoidance, self-advocacy, or the effects of past mistreatment. Eldon believes trauma-informed care can offer a valuable foundation for this work. “Stuttering-affirming mental health care looks to me very much like trauma-informed care (TIC),” Eldon said. “A simplified definition of TIC is that we don't treat patterns in behavior and decisions as pathological. Almost everyone has innately developed what can be understood as trauma responses to stressful situations that were chronic and unavoidable.” A trauma-informed approach asks professionals to recognize how previous experiences may influence trust, fear, participation, and willingness to try a strategy. It also protects the person’s agency throughout treatment. As Eldon emphasizes, experiencing trauma and having a mental health diagnosis are separate considerations. “Trauma itself is not a diagnosis; it is an experience, and its internal responses are outcomes of stress rather than a medical condition,” Eldon said. Progress should reflect what makes life and communication more meaningful to the client. That could include participating more fully, advocating for accommodations, feeling less shame, approaching a previously avoided situation, or speaking openly without trying to conceal stuttering. “When we lead with TIC, progress is naturally measured through established safety, self-advocacy, and freedom of choice, rather than how fluent someone sounds,” said Eldon. Adapting Cognitive Behavioral Therapy & Exposure-Based Approaches Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), exposure-based activities, and other approaches may help some people address anxiety associated with speaking. Their use should be collaborative, supportive, and connected to goals chosen by the person who stutters. ASHA includes desensitization and cognitive restructuring among the approaches that may reduce negative reactions to stuttering. Its guidance emphasizes structured, supportive environments and the client’s willingness to participate. “In many ways, the specific empirical research on adapting traditional CBT or exposure therapy to explicitly prioritize choice and agency over fluency is still catching up,” Eldon said. The purpose of an activity matters. Making a phone call because someone wants greater freedom in daily life is different from being required to make that call as a test of fluent speech. The person should understand the goal, consent to the activity, help determine the pace, and be able to stop or modify it. Success may have little to do with how much the person stutters. Someone can stutter throughout an activity and still make meaningful progress by participating, expressing what they want to say, or responding to anxiety with greater self-compassion. When Counselors & Speech-Language Pathologists Collaborate Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) and mental health professionals bring different expertise. An SLP can address the communication experience, physical aspects of stuttering, self-advocacy, and the impact of listener reactions. A counselor can assess and treat concerns such as persistent anxiety, depression, trauma symptoms, or avoidance that extends beyond speech. Collaboration may be helpful when communication goals and mental health concerns overlap. With the client’s permission, the professionals can coordinate goals, avoid conflicting expectations, and make sure progress is not judged solely by fluency. ASHA recommends referral to other health care professionals when support is needed for co-occurring conditions such as anxiety or depression. Feeling anxious about a specific speaking situation doesn't automatically mean someone requires mental health treatment. The person’s distress, daily functioning, preferences, and broader symptoms should guide that decision. Choosing a Therapist Who Respects Stuttering A person who stutters may want to ask a potential therapist questions such as: What experience do you have working with people who stutter or people with communication differences? How would you address anxiety without treating stuttering as a symptom that must be eliminated? How do you measure progress when fluency is not the client’s goal? How do you adapt exposure-based activities to protect choice and consent? How would you respond if I declined a strategy or said an activity didn't feel helpful? Would you be willing to collaborate with my speech-language pathologist if I requested it? The therapist doesn't need to know everything about stuttering during the first meeting. They should be willing to listen, learn, respect the client’s expertise in their own experience, and reconsider an approach that causes harm. “I have learned as a seasoned therapist that my experience with clients needs to be transformational and not transactional,” Eldon said. “I have the tools, but they have the engine. The engine needs to be understood and respected, and is far more important than my tools.” To learn more about stuttering, visit WeStutter.org. The NSA gives a special thanks to Eldon for taking the time and consideration to contribute his expertise to this blog.

Seeing your experience as a person who stutters reflected back to you in a way that feels joyful and honest can be life-changing. That’s why the National Stuttering Association (NSA) is so excited to announce our collaboration with Willemijn to release special edition NSA art! The artwork, centered around our slogan, “If you stutter, you are not alone,” brings the spirit of the stuttering community to life. It’s not only a visual, but also a reminder that art can be a meaningful outlet for expressing who we are and how we experience the world. 100% of purchase proceeds support the NSA’s mission to create a more understanding world for people who stutter. Creative Process: From Idea to Illustration “I really wanted to capture the joy of the stuttering community, so I chose a colorful and playful style for this illustration,” Willemijn said. “I first drew the tagline in the center and then sketched different characters around it, interacting with each other in a positive way. Some of them are inspired by friends from the community, which makes the art feel more authentic and meaningful.” Willemijn’s process reflects the same sense of connection that the artwork represents. By centering the message first and building outward, she created a world where community quite literally surrounds the idea that no one who stutters is alone on their journey. Symbols of Connection & What She Hopes You Feel “I enjoy playing with the shapes of speech bubbles to show different ways of speaking and stuttering,” Willemijn said. “The intersecting speech bubbles symbolize the connection we can experience through our speech.” These details invite you to look a little closer. The variation in speech bubbles highlights the diversity of communication, while their intersections point to something shared: understanding and community. “When people who stutter look at this artwork, I hope they feel joy or even pride in being part of this community,” she said. “I hope they think of friends they have met, or new friends they might meet in the future.” That sense of possibility of remembering past connections and imagining new ones is at the heart of this artwork. Inspiration Behind the Work “In terms of style, I am inspired by artists who draw in a loose and playful way,” Willemijn said. “I want to convey joy in my work, which I also aimed to do in this piece. The topics that inspire me most are stuttering, mental health, and finding connection. I enjoy creating very personal work and sharing stories from real people. That's why some of the characters in this piece are based on my real friends from the community.” Willemijn’s art is rooted in stories and experiences. That’s what makes this collaboration feel so meaningful. It reflects the community not just in message, but in spirit.

We are honored to share “Hope Against All Odds,” a poem by National Stuttering Association community member Isaac Geller. Through honest and deeply personal reflection, Isaac reflects on the challenges, resilience, and hope that can come with being a person who stutters. Shared with permission from the author. I open my mouth, Instinctively so, To verbalize my thoughts, To share my words. But yet again, I’m so viciously reminded, Of my shackles, That tie me up, Like a wax statue, Like a broken instrument, I stand there in shame, Hissing some sound. That inaudible jumble, Might not sound like much, But to me it does, And it screams oh so loud. It purges up from deep, Deep within, My stolen voice, My trampled identity. It fights tooth and nail, It demands release, To get its message, Out to the world. Yet all it can do, Is a few weird noises, Whispers of shame, Of hurt and frustration. Day after day, The morning sun, Demands another try, Another battle to wage. To confront the world, So impatient, And cruel, Never ceasing the fire. Daily tasks left undone, Phone call avoided, So many opportunities, Missed just like that. Another silent day, Full of stares, So many pairs of eyes, Looking away. Of strangers smirking, Eyebrows raised, When greeted by silence, Asking for directions. Of cashiers and bus drivers, Avoiding my gaze, While holding up a line, Of impatient people. Going out there, And being present, Is a daily struggle, A constant fight. Getting up in the morning, Is a conscious choice, Of a day of suffering, And of shame. Yet I climb out of bed, Facing my fate, Sometimes wondering, Why today has arrived. I trudge along anyway, Confronting reality, For the moment I stop, It is a sad defeat. Just know that inside, There’s a beauty, Waiting to be heard, To be given its chance. Years of isolation, Always on the run, Escaping and avoiding, Hiding from all. And the pain of it all, Is so much more, When watching your eyes, Pity me. I have what to say, I've got what to share, Perhaps so much more, Than him and her. Will my lost voice, Ever get its chance, To prove to the world, That it can too. Will my broken self, Ever rise up again, Through the shame, Out of the shadows. Will my yearning spirit, Ever come forth, To tell the story, Of relentless times. Will my true inner peace, Ever replace, The emotional wreck, That is me. Will I ever accept, My fate with a smile, So you can finally hear, My beautiful speech. I cling to that hope, That I’ll learn to accept, Although it is tough, Treacherously so. With patience, And resilience, I will persevere, With iron will I’ll prevail. To forge ahead, Plowing through hardship, Is my only choice, To really survive. For giving up is treason, To my story of life, A happy ending, Is the one I’ll write. One step at a time, It is okay to fall, Slowly but surely, I will succeed.

Justyna Majewska from Siewierz, Poland Most unkind reactions to stuttering don’t begin with cruelty. They begin with discomfort. A pause appears, and the listener wants to fill it. A block lasts several seconds, and the listener feels responsible for making the moment normal again. They offer a word, look away, change the subject, or say, “Calm down, take a breath.” They believe they’re reducing tension. Often, they’re reducing their own tension first. The person speaking notices. We notice the glance towards the clock. We notice the eyes moving to someone else. We notice the sympathetic smile, the nervous laugh, the sentence completed without permission. We learn that our speech has created a problem in the room. Eventually, some of us decide that the safest way to prevent that problem is to speak less. Not because we have nothing to say. Because we have too much to lose when saying it. That loss is difficult to measure. It's not only the missed word. It's the question never asked, the boundary never defended, the joke abandoned halfway through, the interview answer shortened, the relationship not begun, and the idea offered too late. It's the habit of editing yourself until other people meet only the smallest possible version of you. Five seconds can change everything. Five seconds of impatience can feel enormous. They can contain a raised eyebrow, an interruption, a command to relax, or the silent message that your voice is taking too long. Repeated across childhood, school, work, friendship, healthcare, and family life, those seconds can teach a person to distrust their own speech. But five seconds of genuine attention can also mean everything. They can say, "I am not embarrassed by you. I am not measuring your worth by your speed. I am listening to your thoughts, not inspecting your fluency. You don’t have to perform calmness for me. You don’t have to replace the word. You don’t have to apologize for the time your voice requires.” That kind of waiting isn’t empty. It's active respect. It asks the listener to resist the urge to repair a moment that may not be broken. It asks them to remain comfortable when speech becomes unpredictable. It asks them to trust that the person in front of them is still competent, still intelligent, and still in control of what they want to say, even when control of the sound becomes difficult. I used to measure success by fluency alone. Now the word means something wider to me. Success can be ordering the meal you actually want instead of choosing the easiest word. It can be saying your own name without substituting a nickname, making the telephone call you have postponed, or returning to a conversation after a painful block. For somebody else, success is using techniques that make speaking easier. For another person, it's stuttering openly without saying sorry. People are allowed to change their minds about what they want. They’re allowed to feel proud one day and exhausted the next. I can value my voice now and still grieve the years when fear made my world smaller. Those feelings don’t fit into a neat success story, but they’re honest. I no longer believe that fluency creates the value of what I say. I don’t have to speak perfectly to speak wisely, or quickly to speak truthfully. I wish I had understood that sooner. I wish other people had understood it too. Awareness must be more than recognizing the word “stuttering.” It becomes real in small, practical moments: a teacher who does not mistake hesitation for poor preparation; an employer who does not judge competence by one stressful interview; a doctor who leaves enough time for an answer; a parent who listens without panic. It can be as simple as understanding that a pause isn’t an emergency. And sometimes, it's a question: “Would you like me to wait or would you like help with the word?” There is dignity in that question because the choice returns to the speaker. The answer may change from person to person and from one day to the next. Respect should be able to change with it. My shade of stuttering today is quieter than it once was, but it's not meaningless. It lives in memory, instinct, sensitivity, and the way I watch another person struggle for a word. It lives in the courage I am still learning, and in the anger I feel when speed is mistaken for human value. It lives in my decision to use the voice I once tried to hide. Perhaps that is the strangest shade of all: the thing I believed had silenced me has become the reason I speak now. I am not asking the world to pity people who stutter. I am not asking anyone to call us heroes merely because we speak. I am asking for something simpler and more demanding: attention without judgment, patience without performance, and help without assumption. Sometimes that means five seconds of silence. Sometimes it means a gentle question. Sometimes it means accepting help when it's wanted and holding back when it's not. Always, it means recognizing that the voice belongs to the person using it. To someone else, five seconds may be only a pause. To a person who has spent a lifetime fearing what happens inside that pause, it can become a test of whether the world has room for them. A patient listener can transform those seconds from a barrier into a bridge. The greatest obstacle in my life was never only stuttering. It was the belief that I had to earn the right to be heard by speaking like everyone else. It was the hurry of a world that treated silence as failure and difference as delay. The world will not collapse if it waits.

At the 2026 Annual Conference in Charlotte, North Carolina, we had the honor of recognizing five outstanding individuals and NSA Chapters whose dedication continues to make a difference in the stuttering community. Each year, we celebrate people who devote their time, expertise, and care to supporting people who stutter. Their contributions may take different forms, including mentorship, professional education, research, advocacy, public awareness, and local community building. This year’s honorees include a deeply committed volunteer, an influential professional, a longtime leader inducted into the NSA Hall of Fame, and two chapters that create supportive local communities for people who stutter and their families. We are proud to recognize their contributions and share more about the people and NSA Chapters behind the 2026 awards. Hall of Fame Award: Dr. John Tetnowski For more than 25 years, John has advanced stuttering research, educated future professionals, and supported people who stutter and their families. After more than 25 NSA Annual Conferences, nearly 100 published manuscripts, and countless lives touched, John’s place in the NSA Hall of Fame is incredibly well deserved. Professional of the Year: Jodi Reinstein Jodi has spent more than 25 years championing inclusive education and better support for students who stutter. Through her professional expertise, lived experience as a parent, and service on the NSA Professional Relations Committee, she keeps the voices of young people who stutter at the center of her work. Volunteer of the Year: Abhishek Agarwal Abhishek has served the NSA as a chapter leader, co-founder of the WeStutter@Work Mentorship Program, leader of the WeStutter@Work Committee, and co-leader of Asians Who Stutter. He gives his time and talents wholeheartedly, always looking for another way to support people who stutter. Family Chapter of the Year: St. Louis, Missouri Led by Molly Porzel, Mitch Porzel, and Christine Rose, this thriving chapter creates supportive and empowering experiences for kids and teens who stutter and their families. Its leaders also bring stuttering education into the wider St. Louis community through workshops and media appearances. Adult Chapter of the Year: Seattle, Washington Led by Andrew Chekerylla and Ashish Gupta, the Seattle Adult Chapter brings adults who stutter together through regular meetings, open mics, 5Ks, social gatherings, fundraisers, and public education. Their Stuttering Awareness Week booth at Pike Place Market is just one example of how they connect with their community. Please join us in congratulating all of our 2026 award recipients!

co-authored by Andrea Burcham, MS, CCC-SLP IEP vs. 504: Key Differences Explained IEP 504 Plan Legal basis IDEA Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 Eligibility Documented disability that affects educational performance Disability that substantially limits a major life activity (including speaking) Services provided Specialized instruction + related services (e.g., speech therapy) Accommodations and modifications only—no special education services Goals required? Yes—measurable annual goals + progress monitoring No Evaluation Comprehensive evaluation by the school School-based evaluation, generally less extensive Team Parents, teachers, school specialists, sometimes the child School-based team, typically with parent input Review cycle At least annually, reevaluation every 3 years Periodic review Best fit for Children needing speech therapy or other special education services Children needing classroom accommodations but not therapy/special instruction Want the full step-by-step process for evaluations, goals, and reviews? Read our Understanding the IEP Process guide. What Is Stuttering & How Does It Impact School? Stuttering is a natural communication difference marked by involuntary repetitions, prolongations, or blocks. While it varies by child, stuttering can affect participation in discussions, oral presentations, or reading aloud—impacting academics, confidence, and social interaction. Classroom Challenges Stuttering often varies with the situation: a student may speak easily in casual conversation but stutter more during timed readings or presentations. Reactions like worry, avoidance, or frustration can matter as much as the speech itself. Rapid turn-taking and competing classroom pressures can intensify difficulty without reflecting any cognitive deficit, and children who stutter face a higher risk of social anxiety, teasing, or bullying. Academically, the biggest impact tends to come from speaking-heavy tasks—students may avoid raising hands, give shorter answers, or struggle with presentations and reading aloud. Oral grades sometimes reflect fluency rather than knowledge. Schools and SLPs can help by assessing participation (not just fluency), giving advance notice before oral tasks, offering smaller-group or prerecorded presentation options, grading on content over delivery, and building teacher/peer awareness and anti-bullying policies. When worry or avoidance is significant, school counselor collaboration alongside affirming therapy may help. What Is an IEP? An IEP is a legally binding plan under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) that provides specialized instruction and services to help a child with a qualifying disability make meaningful progress in school. Key features: Requires a documented disability affecting educational performance (under IDEA) Comprehensive school evaluation Individualized special education services Measurable annual goals, accommodations, and progress monitoring Developed by a team including parents, teachers, and school specialists Stuttering may qualify as a speech-language impairment under IDEA if it affects access to curriculum or full class participation—potentially making a child eligible for speech therapy or accommodations like alternatives to oral presentations. What Is a 504 Plan? A 504 Plan falls under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, which protects students with disabilities from discrimination and ensures equal access to education. Key features: Available to students whose disability substantially limits a major life activity (including speaking) Does not require special education services Focuses on accommodations and modifications for classroom access No measurable goals required Developed by a school-based team, typically with parent input For children who stutter but don't need speech therapy or special education, a 504 Plan can still provide meaningful support, like extra time for oral tasks, reduced-pressure speaking environments, or alternative ways to participate. How Eligibility Is Determined Eligibility under IDEA requires showing stuttering significantly interferes with educational performance—broadly defined as academics, communication, participation, and social-emotional impact. Even a mild stutter may qualify if it causes avoidance, anxiety, or participation barriers. Why plans vary by state and district: Some districts use quantitative thresholds (e.g., percentage of stuttered syllables), which can miss social-emotional impacts; others prioritize functional impact on engagement and communication. As a result, a child may qualify in one district but not another. Parents should understand both federal IDEA definitions and their state's criteria—and consider an educational advocate (sometimes insurance-covered) if the team isn't addressing concerns. Common Accommodations for Students Who Stutter Whether through an IEP or 504 Plan, accommodations may include: Extra time or alternatives for speaking tasks (presentations, reading aloud, oral tests) Option to respond in writing instead of speaking Choice in how and when to be called on Adjusted classroom seating Educating teachers and peers about stuttering Reduced involvement in high-pressure activities (popcorn or round-robin reading) Does My Child Qualify for an IEP or 504 Plan? Every child is different—some need intensive speech therapy, others only need classroom accommodations. To start: Document how stuttering affects your child at school Request a formal evaluation from your school district in writing Participate in the evaluation, providing input from your child's SLP After the assessment, the IEP or 504 team meets to review results and determine eligibility. Tips for Parents & Caregivers Advocating in Schools Know your rights. Request evaluations and meetings, participate, and advocate for your child's needs Keep records. Save copies of communications, evaluations, and plans Speak up early. The sooner a plan is in place, the better your child can thrive Join the community. Connect through NSA Chapters, events, and resources Plans should be reviewed regularly: IEPs at least annually, 504 Plans periodically. Final Thoughts Both IEPs and 504 Plans can be valuable tools—there's no one-size-fits-all solution. What matters most is that your child feels safe, supported, and empowered to use their voice in the classroom. Need more support? Reach out to the NSA or find an NSA Chapter at WeStutter.org.