NSA chapters are welcoming spaces to connect with others who stutter. Family members, friends and SLPs are welcome too.
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NSA 2027 Annual Conference
The NSA Annual Conference brings together people who stutter, families, friends and professionals from across the country. Join us next in Scottsdale, Arizona, July 7–11, 2027.
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Understand stuttering
Trusted NSA information — readable anytime, even offline.
What is stuttering?
Stuttering is a natural variation in speech in which the timing and flow of spoken language include moments of repetition, prolongation, or blocking of sounds and words. It can also involve physical movements or emotional responses — reactions that stem from social experiences, not from stuttering itself. Around 5% of children experience stuttering at some point in development, and about 1% of adults — nearly three million people in the US — stutter throughout life.
What causes stuttering?
Stuttering is a neurological and physiological difference in how the brain plans and coordinates speech. It often runs in families — if you stutter, you're about three times more likely to have a relative who stutters — and brain imaging shows differences in how people who stutter process auditory feedback and plan speech movements. Stress and environment can affect when stuttering shows up, but they do not cause it. The science ↗
Common myths about stuttering
Stuttering is not caused by nervousness, trauma, parenting style, or intelligence. People who stutter know exactly what they want to say. And stuttering isn't something to “grow out of” by trying harder — it's a neurological speech difference, not a habit or a character flaw.
Is stuttering caused by anxiety?
No. Anxiety does not cause stuttering — but stuttering can vary with how safe and comfortable a person feels. Someone may stutter more openly in spaces where they feel accepted, and work harder to hide it under pressure. That's variability, not cause.
Can parents cause stuttering?
No — and this deserves to be said plainly: there is not a single piece of credible research suggesting that parents can cause stuttering. It isn't your fault, and it isn't your child's. Research points toward genetics and neurological processing differences as the likely causes.
Is there a cure for stuttering?
There is no universal cure. Many young children recover naturally; others continue to stutter into adulthood — and thrive. Support focuses on confident, comfortable communication rather than perfect fluency, and the right approach is whichever one fits the individual. Treatment options ↗
Different experiences of stuttering
Every person's stuttering is unique. Most stuttering begins in childhood, between ages 2 and 5; rarer forms can follow neurological events like a stroke or brain injury. Stuttering also varies day to day and situation to situation — many people stutter differently at home, at school, or at work. There is no one right way to stutter.
Speech therapy and stuttering
Speech therapy doesn't aim to erase stuttering — it supports communicating with confidence: reducing struggle and tension, building self-advocacy, and expanding speaking choices so avoidance and shame lose their grip. Some approaches are stutter-affirming, some focus on adjusting moments of stuttering; good therapy is tailored to the person. Find a speech therapist ↗
How to support someone who stutters
Listen patiently and keep natural eye contact. Don't interrupt, finish sentences, or offer advice like “slow down.” Show that what they say matters more than how fluently they say it. Understanding stuttering as a difference — not a behavior to fix — is the foundation of real support. More on westutter.org ↗
Frequently asked questions
About stuttering
How common is stuttering?
About one percent of adults stutter — nearly three million people in the United States alone — and around 5% of children experience stuttering at some point in development. It occurs three to four times more often in males than in females, and exists across all cultures and languages. If you stutter, you are not alone.
Can stuttering be cured?
Despite research breakthroughs, there is still no reliable “cure” for stuttering. Many individuals benefit from speech therapy and from the support community the NSA offers — with goals built around confidence and communication, not perfect fluency.
Will the NSA tell me how I “should” handle my stuttering?
There is no single right way to navigate stuttering. Every person's experience, needs and choices are different. Some people openly embrace their stutter. Others may choose speech therapy, communication tools or different forms of support. The NSA respects each person's right to decide what feels right for them.
Finding support
What types of support does the NSA offer?
A wide range — local chapter meetings, online NSA Connects sessions, community events, and the Annual Conference. These spaces give individuals and families the chance to connect, share experiences, and feel supported by a community that understands.
How can I connect with others who stutter online?
Join NSA Connects — virtual sessions for kids, teens, young adults, older adults, parents, LGBTQ+ members, and Spanish and Arabic speakers, plus topic sessions on work, therapy, and lived experience. Many chapters also meet virtually or hybrid; filter the chapter directory by Virtual to find one.
Where can I learn more about stuttering?
Start with the Understand Stuttering section above — it's the NSA's core information, readable right here. The NSA's website goes deeper on causes, treatment options, and research.
NSA chapters
What are NSA local chapters?
Local chapters are the heartbeat of the NSA — welcoming spaces where you can meet others, share experiences, and feel supported. Whether you're an adult who stutters or a family navigating stuttering together, there's a chapter for you.
What happens at an NSA meeting?
Your chapter leader may prepare a topic or open the floor for discussion. Some chapters also host social events. The magic is simply being among other people who stutter — building connections and having fun while doing it.
Who attends a chapter?
People of all ages who stutter, along with family and friends, speech-language pathologists, and anyone interested in stuttering — everyone is welcome.
Do I need to RSVP before attending a chapter meeting?
No RSVP needed — but it's always a good idea to reach out to the chapter leader beforehand to let them know you're coming. They love knowing who to look for.
Are there virtual chapter meetings?
Yes — several chapters meet virtually or hybrid, making it easy to join from wherever you are. Use the Virtual filter in the Chapters tab, then contact the leader for joining details.
Parents & families
Why does my child stutter?
First: stuttering is not your fault, and it is not your child's. There is not a single piece of credible research suggesting parents can cause stuttering. Research points toward genetics and neurological processing differences — if you stutter, you're about three times more likely to have a relative who stutters.
How can I support my child who stutters?
Learn about stuttering; work with a speech-language pathologist experienced in stuttering; and create a supportive communication environment — listen patiently, avoid interrupting or finishing sentences, and show that what your child says matters more than how fluently they say it.
Why does my child stutter more at home?
Home is often where a child feels most accepted. When children feel safe, they're less likely to monitor or suppress their speech — so stuttering can be more noticeable. That comfort is a good sign, not a setback: stuttering naturally varies across settings and communication partners.
Why does my child still stutter despite speech therapy?
Therapy is powerful support, but it doesn't “fix” or eliminate stuttering — there is no known cure. Effective therapy focuses on communicating with confidence: reducing struggle, building self-advocacy, and feeling comfortable speaking, rather than aiming for complete fluency. Progress looks different for every child.
What do I tell friends who ask why my child stutters?
Model acceptance: children learn how to feel about stuttering by watching the adults they trust most. Talking about it openly, calmly and without shame — “stuttering is just how some people talk; research says it's neurological and genetic” — teaches your child to see it the same way.
Are there resources specifically for parents?
Yes — educational materials, parent communities, workshops, and a closed parents-only Facebook group where caregivers connect, ask questions, and share experiences with people who truly understand.
Work & careers
Can a person who stutters have strong communication skills?
Yes. Strong communication is much more than fluent speech — it's active listening, empathy, clarity of ideas, and confidence in sharing perspectives. Many people who stutter develop these deeply, and communicate effectively every day in roles involving leadership, teamwork, and client engagement.
What makes a person who stutters a good employee?
The same things that make anyone a good employee — commitment, meeting deadlines, collaboration, problem-solving. Many people who stutter also bring strengths shaped by lived experience: thoughtful communication, strong listening, empathy, persistence, and self-advocacy.
SLPs & professionals
Does the NSA offer resources for SLPs?
Yes — extensive resources including continuing education, research collaborations, and specialized training to support work with people who stutter.
Can SLPs earn ASHA CEUs through NSA events?
Yes — SLPs can earn ASHA CEUs at the NSA's Annual Conference and other professional development events with accredited sessions.
How can professionals get involved with the NSA?
Join a local chapter, attend events, participate in research initiatives, or serve on the Professional Relations Committee. Professionals who engage with the community become more informed, more connected, and more effective for the people they serve.
The Annual Conference
Who can attend the NSA conference?
People who stutter of every age, and their families, are encouraged to attend — with programming for all ages and for family members. Speech-language pathologists and SLP students are strongly encouraged to join too.
Why should my family attend?
Kids, tweens and teens who stutter get to meet others just like them — often for the first time — and experience being fully accepted for who they are. Parents and siblings find the same connection, building support networks that last well beyond the weekend.
What ages are family programs for?
Family programming is open to kids and teens ages 6–17, divided into smaller age-appropriate groups — so your child will meet plenty of others their age.
How is my child kept safe at conference workshops?
All NSA staff and volunteers are thoroughly vetted and background-screened. Parents sign children ages 6–10 in and out of workshops — no child under 10 is released without a parent or guardian.
My child is nervous about attending. What can I tell them?
Feeling nervous at first is completely normal — and it usually fades fast. Parents often joke that after that first workshop, they barely see their child again until it's time to go home, because they're off with new friends. The Family Programs Committee and Teen Advisory Council are happy to connect before the conference too.
Membership & supporting the NSA
Is NSA membership free?
Yes. The NSA removed its old annual-dues requirement to be more inclusive — membership no longer depends on dues. If you're able, supporting the NSA monthly or annually helps sustain the programs and connections that make this community possible.
Where does a donation to the NSA go?
Your gift supports community, education, advocacy and research — and you can direct it: the General Fund (programs, resources, outreach), the Conference Scholarship Fund (helping individuals and families attend), or the Research Fund.
Can I give monthly?
Yes — the NSA's ChangeMakers are people who give monthly. Large or small, these reliable gifts are a source of strength the NSA can depend on.
Practical guides — readable offline, even outside the interview room.
Disclosing your stutter at work
Disclosure is always your choice — there is no one right way. Many people find that mentioning their stutter early (“I stutter, so I may take a little longer — the ideas are worth it”) lowers pressure and puts them in control of the narrative. The NSA's printable Stuttering Disclosure ID Card in the downloads below gives you words to hand over when speaking feels hard.
Job interviews when you stutter
Interviews are stressful for everyone — and that added pressure can increase stuttering beyond your typical speech patterns. That says nothing about your ability. Remember what you bring: thoughtful, intentional communication, strong listening, persistence and self-advocacy. You may choose to disclose up front so you can focus on your answers instead of hiding your speech. You are allowed to take your time.
Phone calls, meetings and presentations
Fluency is not what makes communication strong — clarity of ideas, active listening and empathy are. It's okay to let a meeting know “I stutter, so give me a moment”; it's okay to pause; it's okay for a phone call to take longer. Many people who stutter present, lead and engage clients every day.
Reasonable workplace accommodations
It's okay to ask for accommodations — extra time in interviews or presentations, alternatives to phone-heavy tasks where they aren't essential, or simply an understanding that pauses are part of how you speak. The NSA's workplace printables below include accommodation guidance you can share with HR.
What managers should know
A person who stutters is a good employee for the same reasons anyone is: commitment, meeting deadlines, collaboration, problem-solving. Stuttering does not define competence, work ethic, or potential — and lived experience often builds strengths like empathy, resilience and diplomacy. The NSA's brochure Stuttering: What Employers Should Know is in the downloads below, and the NSA offers workplace seminars too.
Communication confidence at work
Confidence grows from speaking, not from hiding. Chapters and NSA Connects sessions are safe places to practice presentations, phone voices and introductions among people who get it — and the WeStutter@Work mentorship program pairs you with someone who has walked this road.
Evergreen reading from the NSA — saved in the app, readable offline.
Myths about stuttering — and the facts
“Nervousness causes stuttering.” Fact: it doesn't. Anyone can become slightly disfluent when anxious, but stuttering is rooted in brain function, not emotion — a person may feel nervous because they stutter, not the other way around.
“People who stutter are shy.” Fact: people who stutter can be confident, outspoken and assertive. Shyness doesn't cause stuttering — and many leaders, educators and advocates stutter.
“It's psychological.” Fact: stuttering is not a psychological disorder. Emotions can influence how it feels; the condition itself is neurological.
“Just slow down.” Fact: telling someone to slow down is unhelpful and adds pressure. Listen patiently and focus on what they're saying, not how.
“Parents cause it.” Fact: stuttering develops from genetic and neurological factors — not from anything parents did or didn't do.
“It's a habit.” Fact: stuttering cannot simply be “unlearned.” It's a neurodevelopmental speech difference.Originally published on westutter.org · Read the full article ↗
Facts & figures about stuttering
Around 5% of children experience stuttering at some point in development, and roughly 1% of adults — nearly three million people in the US — stutter throughout life. It occurs three to four times more often in males than females, and about 65–80% of children recover naturally within two to three years. Stuttering exists across all cultures and languages, and understanding it as a neurological speech difference — not a behavior to fix — is what lets families, educators and communities give effective, compassionate support.Originally published on westutter.org · Read the full article ↗
Voices from the community
“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
“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
“This community has helped me rediscover myself as a confident and capable person who stutters.” — John
“The NSA has had a radical effect on my personal and professional life. Through their programs, I have formed long-lasting friendships, developed confidence, and widened my worldview.” — Gabby
“My stutter has made me into the person I am today. I would not trade all the years of pain, frustration, and struggle if I had to give up one moment of who I have become.” — Aryanna
Talking to children about stuttering
Keep it honest and simple: “Stuttering is when someone has trouble getting their words out smoothly — they might repeat words, stretch sounds, or get stuck. Some people speak differently, and that's okay!” Framed this way, children learn stuttering isn't “wrong” — just a different way of communicating.
For younger kids, metaphors work well: “Words can be like cars in traffic — sometimes they get slowed down for a moment, but they keep moving!” Older children can handle more detail. Whether your child stutters or just knows someone who does, these conversations build a supportive, inclusive environment.Originally published on westutter.org · Read the full article ↗
Choosing a speech therapist for your child
Not all SLPs have deep experience with stuttering — and what matters most is that your child feels heard, safe and supported by a clinician aligned with your family's values. Look for an affirming SLP with stuttering-specific experience: a generalist may be excellent with speech-sound disorders yet lack the tools and mindset stuttering needs.
Start by asking: “What experience do you have working with children who stutter?” and “What is your approach to stuttering therapy?” Good answers focus on communication and confidence — not on eliminating stuttering.Originally published on westutter.org · Read the full article ↗
Appealing a denied insurance claim
Denials for stuttering therapy often rest on outdated policies calling treatment “non-medical” or “developmental.” In reality, speech-language pathology services are medically necessary and evidence-based — and many appeals succeed once the right documentation is provided.
1. Read the denial letter carefully — the reason (“not covered,” “educational, not medical,” “no preauthorization”) shapes your response. 2. Ask the insurer exactly what they need — often a Letter of Medical Necessity, therapy reports, or diagnostic codes from your SLP. 3. Note: clinical terms like “fluency disorder” can feel at odds with the NSA's inclusive language, but they matter when communicating with insurers — use them in appeals.Originally published on westutter.org · Read the full article ↗
Finding connection through an NSA chapter
When you stutter, it's easy to feel like the only one — and public misunderstanding can leave people feeling isolated or invisible. One thing truly changes everything: community. NSA chapters are more than “support groups” — they're safe spaces with zero pressure to speak a certain way and no expectation to explain yourself.
“I created my Adults & Family chapter to show children that they can succeed as adults who stutter, and to provide a safe space for people who stutter of all ages.” — Lexi, chapter leader. Chapters remind people who stutter that they are not broken, not defined by fluency, and not alone.Originally published on westutter.org · Read the full article ↗
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Información esencial de la NSA — disponible sin conexión.
¿Qué es la tartamudez?
La tartamudez es una diferencia en la forma en que una persona habla. Puede incluir repeticiones, prolongaciones o bloqueos al intentar decir una palabra o sonido. Una persona que tartamudea sabe lo que quiere decir — la dificultad no está en encontrar las palabras, sino en decirlas físicamente en ese momento. La tartamudez puede variar según el día, la situación, el cansancio o cómo se siente la persona al hablar.
La tartamudez no es culpa de nadie
La tartamudez no es causada por nerviosismo, poca inteligencia, mala crianza ni falta de confianza. La investigación actual la entiende como una condición neurológica y fisiológica que puede tener una base genética. La tartamudez no define la capacidad, el valor, la inteligencia ni el potencial de una persona.
¿Existe una cura?
Actualmente no existe una cura conocida para la tartamudez. Muchas personas se benefician de la terapia del habla, el apoyo comunitario y la educación. El objetivo no siempre es eliminar la tartamudez: para muchas personas, el apoyo adecuado ayuda a fortalecer la confianza, reducir el miedo a hablar y crear una relación más saludable con su voz.
Cómo apoyar a alguien que tartamudea
Escuche con paciencia y mantenga contacto visual natural. No interrumpa, no complete sus frases y evite consejos como “habla más despacio.” Demuestre que lo que dice importa más que la fluidez con la que lo dice. Entender la tartamudez como una diferencia — no como algo que corregir — es la base de un apoyo verdadero.
Si tartamudeas, no estás solo
La National Stuttering Association existe para apoyar a las personas que tartamudean, sus familias y los profesionales que las acompañan. La NSA ofrece sesiones virtuales NSA Connects en Español cada mes — búsquelas en la pestaña de eventos — y una tarjeta de identificación en español entre los materiales descargables.
Recursos em português O Cartão de identificação da gagueira (Stuttering Disclosure ID Card) está disponível nos materiais para descarregar. Mais recursos em breve.
From the NSA blog
🏆 Meet the 2026 Annual Conference award honorees
At the 2026 Annual Conference in Charlotte, the NSA recognised five individuals and chapters whose dedication makes a difference in the stuttering community — through mentorship, professional education, research, advocacy, awareness and local community-building.
Hall of Fame — Dr. John Tetnowski. For more than 25 years John has advanced stuttering research, educated future professionals, and supported people who stutter and their families — across 25+ Annual Conferences and nearly 100 published manuscripts.
Professional of the Year — Jodi Reinstein. More than 25 years championing inclusive education and better support for students who stutter, drawing on professional expertise and lived experience as a parent.
Volunteer of the Year — Abhishek Agarwal, alongside two chapter awards recognising local communities that support people who stutter and their families. The full announcement profiles each honoree.Originally published on westutter.org · Read the full article ↗
🕑 Five seconds that mean a lifetime to me
Justyna Majewska, writing from Siewierz, Poland, offers a piercing reflection on how unkind reactions to stuttering rarely begin with cruelty — they begin with discomfort. A block lasts a few seconds, the listener feels responsible for making the moment normal again, and so they supply a word, look away, or say “calm down, take a breath.” They believe they're easing tension; often they're easing their own first.
The person speaking notices all of it — the glance at the clock, the sentence finished without permission — and learns that their speech has created a problem in the room. Some respond by speaking less: not for lack of anything to say, but because there's too much to lose in saying it.
That loss is hard to measure — the question never asked, the boundary never defended, the idea offered too late — the habit of editing yourself until others meet only the smallest version of you. Five seconds of impatience, repeated across a life, can teach a person to distrust their own voice. Justyna asks listeners to give those five seconds differently.Originally published on westutter.org · Read the full article ↗
📚 Back-to-school reading list: books for kids & tweens
Representation is powerful, especially in communication. Books featuring stuttering build understanding and empathy, and help children who stutter see their voices reflected in stories. NSA Content Contributor Lexi Hewitt curated age-appropriate titles to expand a classroom library.
Finn Finds His Voice by Travis Althouse — written by a speech therapist who stutters; an uplifting story about courage, resilience and self-acceptance.
I Talk Like a River by Jordan Scott — a poetic, visually stunning picture book capturing the emotional experience of stuttering through nature imagery. A must-have for every classroom.
Zoya: The Stuttering Star by Sathvega Somasundaram — a young girl dreams of becoming a superhero but feels different because of her stutter.
The full post lists more picture books for ages 3–8 and chapter books for tweens. (Book links on the site are affiliate links; the NSA may earn a commission.)Originally published on westutter.org · Read the full article ↗
📖 Back-to-school reading list: books for teens & adults
Books can help people who stutter see themselves in print, and help allies understand what it's like to communicate differently. NSA Content Contributor Lexi Hewitt gathered titles from the community — graphic novels to YA memoirs — that make good picks for a Stuttering Book Club's monthly read.
WAR for WORDS by DM Forker — an honest memoir from the 2026 Annual Conference keynote speaker, following a life with stuttering from childhood onward and the experience of navigating an invisible speech disability.
The list continues with memoirs, biographies (including the remarkable story of Scatman John) and resources offering insight and support for people who stutter and those who want to understand more — starting points for discussion, connection and seeing your own identity reflected.
The full post spans titles for ages 16+ with descriptions of each. (Book links on the site are affiliate links; the NSA may earn a commission.)Originally published on westutter.org · Read the full article ↗
🔬 2026 Research Award: Ladan Khoshbin
The NSA has named Ladan Khoshbin, SLP, recipient of the 2026 Graduate Student Research Award. Her mixed-methods study explores self-disclosure and psychological resilience in adults who stutter — how choosing to share that you stutter may relate to resilience, and why that connection differs from person to person.
Ladan spent 12 years as a clinician in Iran, where working with people who stutter became the centre of her practice. She co-founded Green Speech to expand stuttering awareness and clinician training, and is now a doctoral candidate at Binghamton University, guided by Dr. Rodney Gabel. “What has always mattered most to me is being impactful in people's lives,” she says, “and I realized research was a way to keep doing that.”
The GSRA provides up to $5,000 to graduate students conducting meaningful stuttering research. Awarded annually since 2022 and funded by the NSA community, it is presented in loving memory of Diane Games, honouring her contributions to speech-language pathology.Originally published on westutter.org · Read the full article ↗
🏫 A workplace scrapbook: stuttering in the classroom
Mia Woltman of the WeStutter@Work Committee teaches in the kind of room where many people who stutter faced their hardest moments — and that's precisely her point. Her story is about rewriting a stutter's narrative in the classroom, “where most people who stutter face their lowest lows.”
Speech therapy started so early it felt like play — preschool sessions that seemed like visits with a friend. An IEP followed her into elementary school, and only in the upper grades did it click why she was pulled out during read-alouds: she learned that she stuttered, and shame began shaping who she became. She recalls waiting to present a book report in third grade — a star lesson plan for her teacher, a mountain for her.
The transformation from shy, frightened student to “loud, bubbly teacher” took twenty-something years of slow shifts — and now the whiteboard, the crayon smell and the tiny desks that have seen it all are her constant, on her own terms.Originally published on westutter.org · Read the full article ↗
💬 Is stuttering a disability? Community insights
The NSA asked its community what seemed a simple question — “do you consider stuttering a disability?” — and discovered the question itself was flawed: it mixed how people feel about the word with a matter of legal recognition that isn't opinion at all.
Legally, stuttering is covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act — and that matters. Parents described accommodations that reduce barriers at school; adults pointed to protection from discrimination and workplace accommodations. As community member Gina Waggott put it: even if you're personally uncomfortable with the label, the protection the classification affords is important.
Others described their stuttering as a hindrance, a difference, a communication disorder, a challenge — even a superpower — and the NSA honours those perspectives too. Perhaps the better question is the one the community landed on: not “is it a disability?” but “how disabling does your stuttering feel to you?”Originally published on westutter.org · Read the full article ↗
💼 Vocational Rehabilitation: job support that includes stuttering
Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) programs are state- and federally-funded services that help people with disabilities prepare for, find, keep, advance in, or return to work — and people who stutter can qualify. Mia Woltman of WeStutter@Work traces their roots to the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, with programs today managed under the Rehabilitation Services Administration.
Eligibility requires an impairment that acts as a substantial barrier in the workplace; people already receiving SSI or SSDI are typically approved automatically. Once eligible, you work with a VR counselor to build an Individualized Plan for Employment — vocational goals plus the supports to reach them, which can sit alongside speech therapy, assistive technology and workplace accommodations in your personal strategy toolbox.
As actress Emily Blunt, a woman who stutters, reminds us: “It is neurological, it's biological, it's often hereditary, and it's not your fault.” Support systems should reflect that.Originally published on westutter.org · Read the full article ↗
💛 The happiness hangover: when the conference ends
Nothing quite prepares you for the Annual Conference being over. NSA Communications Coordinator Taylor Worsham — fresh from Charlotte 2026 — names what many feel: the “post-conference blues,” a happiness hangover of low energy, loneliness even in company, and lost purpose after days of joy.
Rest, rest, rest. The conference is glorious and draining — open mics, late lobby conversations, early workshops, jet lag. Give yourself real permission to recover, whatever recharging looks like for you.
Let yourself feel. Sadness, mourning, even anger — the only way through emotions is through them, not around them.
Seek healthy connection. Conference joy floods the brain with dopamine, serotonin and oxytocin, then stops suddenly — the withdrawal is real. Time with family and friends, your chapter, or an NSA Connects session refills what the conference opened up.Originally published on westutter.org · Read the full article ↗
🌊 Explaining your stutter at work: analogies that help
Workplaces often treat smooth, fast speech as the gold standard — and read anything else as uncertainty or lack of competence. Analogies give coworkers a way to understand what stuttering is and isn't, without the scientific vocabulary, and advocacy in professional settings can be genuinely casual.
Children's books model it beautifully: in Jordan Scott's I Talk Like a River, a boy hears his speech in the river's bubbling, whirling and crashing; When Oliver Speaks paints it as chalky white swirls. Adults can borrow the same practice — one classic exercise is to “paint your stutter,” choosing the colours a block or repetition brings up. It sounds like a children's task; it's just as insightful for adults navigating meetings, relationships and responsibilities.
Finding your own analogy turns a misunderstood difference into something colleagues can picture — and that picture does more advocacy than a lecture ever could.Originally published on westutter.org · Read the full article ↗
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