fbpx

National Stuttering Association

Wednesday, July 7th

Wednesday At A Glance

2:30 PM – 3:30 PM 3:45 PM – 4:45 PM 5:00 PM – 5:30 PM
All First Timers Open Microphone Opening Conference Kickoff
Opening Parent Roundtable
Kids & Tweens: Let’s Get This Conference Started! (Icebreaker & Games)
Teens: Let’s Meet Up! (TAC)

12:00 PM

Registration is Open!

2:30 PM to 3:30 PM

Wednesday, July 7

First-Timers

All first-time attendees are encouraged to attend to meet other first-timers and get acquainted with the busy conference schedule at this fun, lighthearted, informative gathering. There will be a few small presentations on what to expect and how to make your conference experience the best ever. Plus, there will be a chance to meet NSA leadership,learn some NSA history, and explore what the NSA offers you! Here’s a chance to ask questions and prepare for your first – but likely not your last – NSA Annual Conference.

3:45 PM to 4:45PM

Wednesday, July 7

Open Microphone

Share your voice at NSA’s Open Mic! Sing a song, recite poetry, tell a joke, or tell a story about your own experiences at one of our open microphone sessions. Whether you want to be at the mic or just listening in the audience, this session is welcome to all NSA’ers.

Opening Parent Roundtable

Holly Nover

This informal gathering will provide parents with the opportunity to openly explore questions and concerns in a safe and supportive environment with others who “get it”.

About Holly:

Holly is a person who stutters, a parent of a child that stutters, and a Speech Language Pathologist (SLP) who has been active with the NSA since 2007. Holly lives in Jacksonville, Florida with her husband and is the mother of two boys and a Labrador Retriever. She enjoys watching sporting events, traveling to tropical locations, puzzles, spending time at the beach, and organizing. Holly is a loyal Jacksonville Jaguars fan.

Kids & Tweens: Let’s Get This Conference Started! (Icebreaker & Games)

Emily Webb

CALLING ALL KIDS & TWEENS!! Welcome to the NSA’s national conference! We are so excited to be back together after 2 long years. In this workshop, you will get to know many other kids who stutter as well as their siblings and know that, no matter what, you’re not alone and never will be! Emily Webb and Dan Haus, the NSA Kids Programs Co-Coordinators, are so excited to have you join them for fun games, silly questions, and a time where forever friendships are made.

About Emily:

Emily Webb is the daughter and sister of 2 people who stutter. She lives near Dayton, Ohio, is a certified EMT, and is trained to work with vulnerable women in society and the homeless community. Emily has attended the NSA conference since 2014, has volunteered with the kids’ program since 2015, and has been a presenter of a variety of workshops since 2017. Emily absolutely loves the NSA Kids and is so excited and blessed to serve her 3rd year as NSA’s Kids Programming Co-Coordinator.

Teens: Let’s Meet Up!

Teen Advisory Council (TAC)

As the first day of the conference gets underway, we will come together for free-flowing, supportive conversation where you can meet other teens who stutter, share your thoughts, your hopes, and your fears about the conference or just life in general. This is an amazing opportunity to be with people who truly understand YOU!

About the TAC:

The Teen Advisory Council is a group of highly-motivated and respected teens that help make up the NSA family. The role of the TAC is to exhibit strong leadership qualities and to serve as role models and mentors to their peers and younger members of the NSA Family Programs, providing support and presenting a positive attitude to NSA teens and kids.

5:00 PM to 5:30 PM

Wednesday, July 7

Opening Conference Kickoff

Every NSA Conference is an opportunity to make new friendships, deepen existing relationships, and engage in the pursuit of deepening your connection with our community.  Join us for a very special session as we meet together as a group for the first time, award some very special people in our chapter leadership team and celebrate the start to an incredible conference! Whether this is your first or fifteenth conference, our conference kick off is a can’t miss event.

Thursday, July 8th

Thursday At A Glance

9:15 AM – 10:15 AM 10:40 AM – 12:00 PM
New Population-Based Genes Identified for Those Who Stutter* Keynote: Dr. Courtney Byrd ~ Dream. Speak. Live.: How To Navigate Fluency Conformity And Reduce Stuttering Stigma*
Differential Diagnosis of Fluency Disorders* Kids & Tweens: Expressive Art
Friendship Extravaganza!
Kids, Tweens, and Teens: What I Wish I Knew!
1:30 PM – 2:30 PM 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Stuttering and Stress: Bridging the Brain-Body Connection* Why, When, and How Should I Share that I Stutter?
Just For Moms Unmasking Fear*
A Framework for Growth (Schneider) Courage, Muscle, and The Powerful Stutter
Open Microphone Passing Twice for LGBTQIA+
Intersectionality: Multiply Marginalized PWS* Kids: Let’s Have Some Fun!
Teens: Reflections on Stuttering

8:00 AM – 9:00 AM

Thursday, July 8

SLP Breakfast

Speech professionals are invited to join fellow SLPs for breakfast and conversation before a busy day of workshops. This breakfast is sponsored by our Board Chair.

8:45 AM – 9:15 AM

Thursday, July 8

Registration Open

Morning Motivation

Take a deep breath, stretch those muscles, and start each day of the conference in the right mindset! Join us each morning to focus on your goals and set your intentions for the day ahead.

9:15 AM – 10:15 AM

Thursday, July 8

New Population-Based Genes Identified for Those Who Stutter*

Dr. Shelly Jo Kraft

Previously identified genes for stuttering included mutations with a low population prevalence. New research confirms that most people who stutter do not share the same genetic profile. State-of-the-art approaches have recently been utilized to support the genetic discovery of three new variants in people who stutter living in the USA and globally across parts of Europe and Australia. The new genes for stuttering offer additional insight for risk and potential treatment. This talk will highlight inheritance patterns, complexity of gene expression in the body, and new theories about co-morbidities and other health diagnoses that people who stutter might be more susceptible to.

About Dr. Kraft:

Dr. Kraft’s current research focuses on the biological and behavioral genetics of stuttering, autism, SLI, SSD, and hearing loss. Dr. Kraft is the director of the Behavior, Speech & Genetics Lab, where most of her research is conducted. Her latest research showcases novel approaches to identifying gene-to-gene interaction and regulation as new genetic methodologies offer the promise of identifying etiological bases for many developmental disorders, including speech and language disorders.

Differential Diagnosis of Fluency Disorders*

Dana Wierzbicki

When you get an intake form with “stuttering” written as the reason for the evaluation, it can mean many things. Is the client stuttering? Or cluttering? Is it language-based disfluency? Does the client have atypical disfluencies? Or did they start stuttering after a seizure or stroke? How do you determine the correct diagnosis, which informs the prognosis and treatment strategies to use? Attend this workshop to learn about each type of fluency disorder, symptoms of each, and appropriate assessment procedures.

About Dana:

Dana Wierzbicki earned a Master of Arts degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from the University of Houston in 2011. She worked at an outpatient clinic for nine years and recently started her practice, Infinite Horizon Speech, and Language Services. Dana has received five Awards for Continuing Education from the American Speech-Language Association. She is especially interested in fluency disorders, and she is in the process of applying for board certification.

Friendship Extravaganza!

Sivan Aulov

Ready to meet new friends after a stressful year? Join us for a ‘Speed Friending’ workshop, an opportunity to meet a large number of people in a short period of time in a safe and welcoming space dedicated to kids, teens, adults, and parents of the conference. Attendees are paired with each person attending the session for four minutes to discuss various topics. At the end of four minutes, attendees move on to their next prospective friend ~ and around and around we go! Get ready to be pushed outside of your comfort zone, interact without holding back, and possibly even spark a friendship!

About Sivan:

Sivan Aulov has called Dallas, Texas ‘home’ for the last ten years. She recently finished her graduate degree in mental health counseling and uses her unique perspective gained as a person who stutters to help individuals feel empowered in whatever life has dished their way. She is passionate about supporting the National Stuttering Association’s mission and enjoys giving back to the community that gave her so much. In her spare time, she enjoys training for marathons, reading books at various coffee shops in the city, and trying new restaurants with her friends and family. 

Kids, Tweens, and Teens: What I Wish I Knew!

Teen Advisory Council

In this workshop, kids, tweens, and teens will come together to share their stuttering experiences. Moderated small group discussions will allow participants to learn from their peers as well as reflect on lessons they have learned. Kids and tweens will also have the opportunity to ask teens questions about relevant stuttering topics.

About the Teen Advisory Council (TAC):

The Teen Advisory Council is a group of highly-motivated and respected teens that help make up the NSA family. The role of the TAC is to exhibit strong leadership qualities and to serve as role models and mentors to their peers and younger members of the NSA Family Programs, providing support and presenting a positive attitude to NSA teens and kids.

10:40 AM – 12:00 PM

Thursday, July 8

Keynote

Dream. Speak. Live.: How to Navigate Fluency Conformity and Reduce Stuttering Stigma*

courtney-byrd-2018

Dr. Courtney Byrd

Misperceptions about stuttering, particularly causes and effect, can negatively impact the lives of people who stutter. Dr. Byrd’s research interests include the study of speech-language contributions to childhood stuttering and the development of innovative treatment and clinical training tools, and this session will help each of us to reduce the stigma surrounding stuttering and to Dream. Speak. Live. our best lives.

About Dr. Byrd:

Courtney T. Byrd, PhD, CCC-SLP, is a Professor at The University of Texas at Austin, and is the Founding and Executive Director of the Arthur M. Blank Center for Stuttering Education and Research which is comprised of the Michael and Tami Lang Stuttering Institute, the Dealey Family Foundation Stuttering Clinic, and the Bodner Developmental Stuttering Laboratory.

Kids & Tweens: Expressive Art

Emily Webb

During this workshop, we will address and answer the questions: How has the past year made me feel & How do I feel now surrounded by my NSA family? This workshop is a time to visualize how you have felt during this time of Covid and how you feel now. This is a safe place for everybody to be honest and see that what you are feeling is okay and valid!

About Emily:

Emily Webb is the daughter and sister of 2 people who stutter. She lives near Dayton, Ohio, is a certified EMT, and is trained to work with vulnerable women in society, as well as the homeless community. Emily has attended the NSA conference since 2014, has volunteered with the kids’ program since 2015, and been a presenter of a variety of workshops since 2017. Emily absolutely loves the NSA Kids and is so excited and blessed to be serving her 3rd year as NSA’s Kids Programming Co-Coordinator.

12:00 PM to 1:30 PM

Thursday, July 8

Lunch on your own

Grab a friend and hit one of the many nearby or onsite eateries, cafes, and restaurants for a quick bite before the afternoon sessions start. With everything from Texas BBQ to craft cocktails to light bites nearby, there’s something for every person and every price range!

1:30 PM to 2:30 PM

Thursday, July 8

Stuttering and Stress: Bridging the Brain-Body Connection*

Heather Najman, Heather Salvo

The brain is the command center for the input and output of our existence as human beings. The body is the vessel that carries, receives, and creates this information. The connection between the two is essential and often becomes disrupted. During this workshop, we will discuss the Brain and the Body and how the connection between these two has important implications for people who stutter. This session will include discussions about how we process our emotions, real-world examples of the Brain-Body connection, and experiential opportunities for people who do and do not stutter. Curious? Join the conversation!

About Heather Najman:

Heather Najman, MA, LMFT, SEP is a licensed psychotherapist specializing in working with stress, anxiety, and shock and developmental trauma, and sees individuals, couples, and families for therapy, coaching, and other growth-oriented work. She has been a NSA co-chapter leader, workshop presenter for the NSA, ISA and NCOS, and a co-host on Stutter Social.

About Heather Salvo:

Heather Salvo, M.S., CCC-SLP, is a doctoral candidate in the Speech Pathology and Audiology program at Kent State University. Her research focuses on the role of emotion-related processes in the onset, maintenance, and exacerbation of stuttering. Specific areas of interest include appraisal, discrete emotional responses, and emotional reactivity & regulation. She is also an NSA Family Chapter Regional Chapter Coordinator and an NSA Family Chapter leader.

A Framework for Growth – How to Transcend Stuttering

Uri Schneider

The Transcending Stuttering framework is a tool for human understanding and a how-to guide to bring change to life.  With this framework, you will: (1) be better informed, (2) learn how to better adapt your behavior and habits, (3) apply tools of self-care, self-acceptance, and self-compassion, and (4) formulate your self-advocacy story to open up and feel more free to just be.  The framework is a product of deep collaboration between PWS and SLP clinicians and researchers worldwide.  It is used by hundreds of people to gain clarity and confidence to help/care for themselves – and others.

About Uri:

Uri Schneider, M.A. CCC-SLP, is the founder of Transcending Stuttering; leader at Schneider Speech; and faculty at the University of California at Riverside School of Medicine. Uri is recognized as a leading clinician, educator, researcher, and innovator.  He specializes in stuttering, working with parents, preschool children, school-age young people, teens, and adults. Uri proudest to be a husband, a dad to four incredible young people.  Offline, you can find him running outdoors.

Just For Moms

Kim Mowery

An opportunity to bring mothers of children (of all ages) who stutter together. This is our time to share information and support one another in our journey of parenting a child who stutters, and specifically in our unique roles as mothers. We’ll discuss acceptance, visions for our children’s futures, and working towards letting go. Join us for a discussion in a supportive and caring environment with just us moms! Wine and tissues will be provided

About Kim:

Kim Mowery is the proud mom to two girls, Morgan, who is 15-years-old and a person who stutters and Kamryn, who is 12 years old. She is married to Chris and works as a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner in the Dallas area. This is her six conference, and she is so grateful for the support and the lifelong friendships that she has found in the NSA.

Intersectionality: Multiply Marginalized PWS*

Tiffani Kittilstved & Derek Daniels

Intersectionality is a concept used to discuss the impact that multiple marginalized identities have on an individual. PWS who are multiply marginalized have unique experiences, challenges, and insights that offer important complexity to the diverse experience of stuttering. This marginalization may be related to race, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, ability, neurodiversity, and more. This workshop will include a panel discussion from a diverse group of PWS who are multiply marginalized and a chance for participants to engage and discuss the topics addressed.

About Tiffani:

Tiffani Kittilstved, M.S., CCC-SLP (she/her pronouns) is a person who stutters, Ph.D. student, and Speech-Language Pathologist based out of Seattle, Washington. Professionally, her area of specialty is in the assessment and treatment of people who stutter. She has special interests within the areas of covert stuttering and intersectionality. Tiffani is also a chapter leader for the NSA Seattle Family Chapter and NSA Bellevue Adult Chapter; and serves on the NSA Young Adult Committee.

About Dr. Daniels:

Derek Daniels, Ph.D., CCC-SLP (he/him pronouns) is an associate professor at Wayne State University. Derek is a person who stutters, works clinically with people who stutter, and supervises graduate student training in stuttering. He has participated in many self-help events, workshops, and clinical training programs for people who stutter, including Camp Shout Out. Derek’s research focuses on identity, psychosocial experiences, and intersectionality.

Teens: Reflections on Stuttering

Caden Short

This interactive workshop will invite teens to reflect on any struggles they might be experiencing with stuttering, reflect on what the challenge is, and then brainstorm in order to ‘flip the script’ and head off any future issues. Attendees will hear from their peers about their experiences and have the opportunity to share their own.

About Caden:

Caden Short is currently a Junior at New York University studying Social and Cultural Analysis with a minor in Politics. Before becoming Teen Program Co-Coordinator in 2019, Caden served on the TAC for three years. He hopes to inspire others to become confident speakers and further engage with the NSA. Caden is grateful that stuttering gave him the opportunity to be a member of the NSA community and looks forward to the conference every year.

3:00 PM to 4:00 PM

Thursday, July 8

Why, When, and How Should I Share that I Stutter?*

University of Texas-Austin SLP Grad Students 

Sharing about stuttering with others has been proven to positively influence listener perceptions, and to improve the speaker who stutters’ attitude towards their communication, as well as their ability to speak more confidently and competently. The present workshop will provide an overview of self-disclosure research, and the translation of our findings to clinical practice such that all participants learn the necessary steps to teaching and/or using self-disclosure in an effective manner.

Courage, Muscle, and The Powerful Stutter

Dan Greenwald

What’s the most important muscle you have? You’re a human creature, so life demands courage! Intentionally growing your courage muscle makes sure it’s strong for when life calls for it – the times planned, and more so when life deals a heavy dose. A stutterer’s daily choice of being true to yourself or avoiding shame will become viewed as an opportunity. The internal stories of scarcity shift into the source for one’s greatest abundance. In one hour, you will learn why and how the mantra of “Fear Equals Opportunity” creates a path to your greatest achievements and why stutterers have a step up on everyone.

About Dan:

Dan is a father of 3 and a proud stutterer. He has been an educator, entrepreneur, and connector for over 20 years. His most recent project is ThirtyTenZero. Dan works with companies and people challenging the traditional modes of how we learn, strategize, and hit our targets. ThirtyTenZero is a practical framework to tap your inner power, refine your current target, and customize a measurable game plan to hit it. Dan lives in NYC with his family.

Unmasking Fear – The Pandemic and Stuttering

Bob Wellington

Has this year changed how a person who stutters communicates? The pandemic has undoubtedly caused changes in our daily lives and the concepts of living in fear from something out of our control, isolation, lockdowns, social distancing, and the general ongoing uncertainty may seem new to some but certainly not to a person who stutters. Join in for a collaborative discussion where we can openly chat about challenges and triumphs and ultimately re-center our focus on the importance of staying in touch

About Bob:

Bob Wellington has been involved with the NSA since 2007 at the Jacksonville Florida chapter and attending the past 14 NSA conferences. Past Jacksonville NSA chapter leader and now serving on the Board of Directors with the NSA. Bob has been a toastmaster for 14 years and a Stutter Social host for over 4 years.

Passing Twice for LGBTQIA+

Hayden Lambert

This is a guided open discussion workshop for LGBTQ+ people who stutter, their families, friends, and allies. Discussion topics focus mainly on the “coming out” and “passing” experience unique to members of both the LGBTQ+ and stuttering communities. Past discussions have focused on the similarities between the two communities, the challenges in identifying as a member of both groups, and how to break the ice in “coming out” as a member of both communities.

About Hayden:

Hayden Lambert is a graduate of Vanderbilt University with a Master’s degree in speech-language pathology, and works as an SLP in Seattle, WA. Hayden is currently the Seattle NSA Chapter Leader and has served on the Young Adults Committee since 2016. Hayden is also involved in Passing Twice, a group for LGBTQ people who stutter. He has been attending NSA conferences since 2011.

Kids: Let’s Have Some Fun!

Family Programs

Sometimes stuttering can be all about therapy and techniques and tools, but sometimes we just want to have FUN! Join our Family Programs and put the FUN back in stuttering.

7:30 PM to 8:30 PM

Thursday, July 8

Prepaid Evening Tours

The Escape Room

At The Escape Game, each adventure has been built in-house from scratch by expert engineers, and so to keep it interesting, things don’t always play out quite as you’d expect! Each adventure is filled with curveballs and revelations that keep you guessing until the last second. Wondering if The Escape Game is for you? Escape games are as accessible as they are immersive, and everyone can contribute to the action. Your experience will be challenging, fun, even funny!

NOTE: The Escape Game is doing everything possible to give guests the safest possible experience, including disinfecting between every game, offering contactless check-in, hosting all-private experiences.

(meet in the hotel lobby at 7:00 PM)

Lone Star Riverboat Cruise

All aboard one of Lone Star Riverboats’ environmentally-friendly vessels! Experience the exhilaration of the outdoors, the abundant waterfowl, and the ever-changing Austin city skyline.

BYOB: Unlimited non-alcoholic drinks (bottled water, sodas, juices, an assortment of mixers), plus all your ice, extra ice chests, and all supplies (plastic cups, napkins, TABC certified bartender will be provided. You just bring your own alcohol (no glass bottles or food of any kind will be permitted).

NOTE: Lone Star Riverboats are taking all the necessary COVID precautions, including disinfecting the boats between cruises, wearing face masks, taking temperatures before each cruise, and using hand sanitizer to ensure the safety of our guests. Lone Star Riverboats request that guests wear face masks and observe social distancing.

(meet in the hotel lobby at 7:00 PM)

Friday, July 9th

Friday At A Glance

9:30 AM – 10:30 AM 10:45 AM – 11:45 AM
Cultural & Linguistic Diversity In Stuttering* Keynote: Bill Wade ~ The Path to Full Potential*
Clinical Trials And Drug Development
Open Microphone
Kids & Tweens: Morning Yoga, Games, Art, and a Scavenger Hunt! (9:30 AM – 11:45 AM)
Teens: When In Doubt, Act!
Accepting Acceptance Help for Parent
1:30 PM – 2:30 PM 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Parents: Why, When, And How Should I Talk About Stuttering With My Child?* *Masks – Not Just During Covid (Covert Panel)
Kids: Stuttering Jeopardy Self-Advocacy At Work: Challenging Negative Stereotypes In The Workplace*
Who Should Provide Services for Stuttering? A Panel Discussion* Hey Ladies; Let’s Chat
Mastering The Word Equity Model How we launched a Stuttering Awareness Campaign (Benedikt/Bodman)
Tweens & Teens: Growth Mindset and The PWS Kids, Tweens & Teens: To The Young Person Who Stutters
Kids: Stuttering Jeopardy

9:00 AM – 9:15 AM

Friday, July 9

Registration Open

Morning Motivation

Take a deep breath, stretch those muscles, and start each day of the conference in the right mindset! Join us each morning to focus on your goals and set your intentions for the day ahead!

9:30 AM to 10:30 AM

Friday, July 9

Open Microphone

Hayden Lambert

Share your voice at NSA’s Open Mic! Sing a song, recite poetry, tell a joke, or tell a story about your own experiences at one of our open microphone sessions. Whether you want to be at the mic or just listening in the audience, this session is welcome to all NSA’ers.

About Hayden:

Hayden Lambert is a graduate of Vanderbilt University with a Master’s degree in speech-language pathology, and works as an SLP in Seattle, WA. Hayden is currently the Seattle NSA Chapter Leader and has served on the Young Adults Committee since 2016. Hayden is also involved in Passing Twice, a group for LGBTQ people who stutter. He has been attending NSA conferences since 2011.

Cultural & Linguistic Diversity in Stuttering*

Derek Daniels, Ana Paula Mumy, Kia Johnson

Speech-language pathologists find themselves working more with clients of different cultural and linguistic backgrounds than their own, which can present challenges to clinical service delivery. This workshop will cover clinical considerations for stuttering assessment and treatment planning by speech-language pathologists who work with culturally and/or linguistically diverse people who stutter. Emphasis will be placed on Black, Hispanic, Latino/a/x, and LGBTQIAP+ populations, though principles can be applied to other cultural groups. Other topics that will be addressed in this workshop include cultural perspectives of stuttering, influence of dialect and bilingualism, family dynamics, stigma, standardized testing, language sampling, counseling, and therapy activities.

About Dr. Daniels:

Derek Daniels, Ph.D., CCC-SLP (he/him pronouns) is an associate professor at Wayne State University. Derek is a person who stutters, works clinically with people who stutter, and supervises graduate student training in stuttering. He has participated in many self-help events, workshops, and clinical training programs for people who stutter, including Camp Shout Out. Derek’s research focuses on identity, psychosocial experiences, and intersectionality.

About Ana Paula:

Ana Paula G. Mumy, MS, CCC-SLP, is a trilingual SLP and clinical professor at the University of Kansas. Her specialized interests include stuttering, early language and literacy, and bilingualism. In her presentation, she shares from the research base as well as her personal experience as a sequential bilingual, as a mother of simultaneous bilinguals, and as a professional with more than 20 years of clinical experience working with bilingual families.

About Dr. Johnson:

Kia Noelle Johnson, Ph.D., CCC-SLP is a tenured Associate Professor in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders and Director of the Stuttering Analysis Research (STAR) Laboratory at the University of Houston in Houston, TX. Dr. Johnson specializes in Fluency and Fluency Disorders with a focus on children who stutter. She currently serves as the Chair of the Board of Directors to the National Black Association for Speech-Language and Hearing and also serves on the Board of Directors to the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association as the National Advisor to the National Student Speech Language and Hearing Association.

Clinical Trials and Drug Development

Atul Mahableshwarkar, Kerensa Saljooqi

If you have wondered how participating in a clinical research study benefits drug development, this is a great workshop for you! This is a high-level presentation and may help you understand the steps needed to identify a safe and effective medication before it is publicly available.

What does it mean to participate in a clinical research study? Join us and find out!

About Dr. Mahableshwarkar:

Dr. Atul Mahableshwarkar is the responsible Medical Officer at Emalex Biosciences, Inc. He is a board-certified adult psychiatrist and leads Drug Development at Emalex Biosciences. Dr. Mahableshwarkar has two decades of drug development experience and has designed and conducted global clinical trials putting patients first in Alzheimer’s disease, anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, major depression, Parkinson’s Disease, schizophrenia, Tourette Syndrome, and childhood onset fluency disorder.

About Kerensa:

Kerensa Saljooqi has over 3 decades of clinical development and operations experience. Her multifaceted career is grounded in principles protecting the rights, safety and welfare of clinical trial participants and delivering accurate and reliable clinical trial data. Ms. Saljooqi leads the childhood onset fluency disorder program at Emalex Biosciences.

Accepting Acceptance: Help for Parents

Emily Root

Parents and caregivers may understand that if they don’t discuss stuttering acceptance at home, it will be challenging to expect our children to do so, but how do parents get comfortable in getting the acceptance ball rolling? Join us to discuss the steps necessary to become comfortable with acceptance including, asking questions, listening, and why getting support from other parents of children who stutter matters. Parents will be able to develop a plan of implementing “family acceptance” discussions with their child that will involve other household members.

About Emily:

Emily Root is a licensed speech pathologist in Berkeley Heights, NJ, who specializes in working with children who stutter and their families. Emily is currently a candidate for Board Certification in Fluency Disorders and looks forward to finishing within the next year! Emily is the proud daughter of a mother who stutters, and values sharing knowledge to become an even better stuttering ally! Emily enjoys traveling, listening to 80’s music, and being at home with her family.

Kids & Tweens: Morning Yoga, Games, Art, and a Scavenger Hunt!

Join us for a morning stretch to clear your minds, get energized for the fun day ahead, play some silly games, get creative, and explore this amazing hotel by going on a scavenger hunt! (From 9:30 AM – 11:45 AM)

Teens: When in Doubt, Act!

Rowan Lindholm, Theo Katz & Matt Phillips

This workshop will give attendees some comfortable and uncomfortable situations regarding their stutter and guide them through how to handle them while also letting them come up with situations and responses of their own. It will allow teens to express their emotions and have some fun in finding ways to effectively respond to people while remaining respectful and educational towards the other person. These scenarios will reflect people they may meet at school, work, and other activities, to whom they would be advertising to, such as a teacher. At the end of this workshop, teens will have explored some new ways to advertise their stutter and apply them to the real world.

About Rowan:

As a second-year TAC member, Rowan Lindholm (he/they) is sixteen and believes a stutter shouldn’t hold anyone back from doing what they enjoy. Rowan is a sophomore at Pequot Lakes High School in Minnesota, and has become very involved in their school’s music program, as well as Speech, GSA, Knowledge Bowl, and theater, all of which have greatly enhanced their confidence in front of a crowd and overall. Starting from their first conference in 2018, the NSA gave Rowan a welcoming community in which they were not the only one who stuttered, and helped them to grow with the sense that they were not alone. It is now their wish to provide that community and support for others, through the TAC!

About Theo:

Theo Katz is a 19 year old senior at Providence Day School in Charlotte, NC. He has been stuttering since he was six years old and has since been involved in the NSA. He has been to five National Stuttering Association Conferences and has been a junior chapter leader for his local Charlotte chapter for the past two years. He recently became a member of the TAC in the summer of 2019 in order to help people across the country who stutter. He plans to attend the University of Tampa in August 2021.

About Matt:

Matt is currently a senior at the University of Connecticut double majoring in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences and Psychology with a minor in Cognitive Science. Matt started attending NSA Conferences in 2015, and hasn’t stopped since! Before stepping into the role of Teen Program Co-Coordinator in 2019, Matt served on the TAC for 2 years. In the future, he hopes to pursue a MS-PhD specializing in stuttering. If you see Matt at the conference, feel free to say hi – he can’t wait to see you again or meet you for the first time!

11:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Friday, July 9

Keynote

The Path to Full Potential*

Bill Wade

We are only as strong as the truths living within us. After years of struggling with his speech, Bill discovered several lessons that changed his life. He will share stories and insights about this transformational change…and renew our appreciation for the truth that stuttering should not hold us back from reaching our full potential.

About Bill:

Bill is a Senior Partner at Bain & Company, a global management consulting firm. He advises corporations and private equity firms on matters of strategy, growth and performance improvement. He is also an investor and serves on multiple boards. Bill received an MBA from Harvard Business School, where he graduated with high distinction as a Baker Scholar and Siebel Scholar. He also received bachelor’s and master’s degrees in accounting from Brigham Young University. Bill resides in Southlake, Texas, with his wife Katy and two sons. He is a long-time member of the National Stuttering Association and a fierce advocate for those who stutter.

12:00 PM to 1:15 PM

Friday, July 9

Lunch on your own

Grab a friend and hit one of the many nearby or onsite eateries, cafes, and restaurants for a quick bite before the afternoon sessions start. With everything from Texas BBQ to craft cocktails to light bites nearby, there’s something for every person and every price range!

1:30PM to 2:30PM

Friday, July 9

Parents: Why, When, and How Should I Talk About Stuttering With My Child?

Dr. Courtney Byrd

Parents commonly report they are afraid to talk about their child’s stuttering with them, and this fear is exacerbated in the office of the speech-language pathologist. In fact, our research has shown that speech-language pathologists hesitate to even say the word “stuttering” in front of young children who stutter. Yet, most teens and adults reflect on how their lives would have changed for the better if only stuttering had been a topic of discussion rather than avoidance. This CAN’T-MISS workshop will provide data and testimonials to demonstrate how talking about stuttering is a fundamental step to proactively protect and/or improve quality of life.

About Dr. Byrd:

Courtney T. Byrd, PhD, CCC-SLP, is a Professor at The University of Texas at Austin, and is the Founding and Executive Director of the Arthur M. Blank Center for Stuttering Education and Research which is comprised of the Michael and Tami Lang Stuttering Institute, the Dealey Family Foundation Stuttering Clinic, and the Bodner Developmental Stuttering Laboratory.

Who Should Provide Services for Stuttering? A Panel Discussion*

Moderator: Michael Boyle

Panelists: Rita Thurman, Dr. Farzan Irani, Reuben Schuff

In recent years, ethical dilemmas have increased as more individuals, groups, “coaches,” and professionals who are not licensed or certified SLPs, offer services for people who stutter. Often these individuals do not claim to provide “speech therapy” but they do claim that they will help people “overcome” their stuttering. They promise positive change for a vulnerable population searching for answers.  Because they are not licensed or certified SLPs, they do not face the same standards of education and clinical training.  With various web-based and in-person options for consumers increasing, it is important to talk about who should be providing therapy for stuttering. Join us for a dynamic panel discussion as we explore this topic in order to inform people who stutter and their families about these important issues.

About Dr. Boyle:

Dr. Michael Boyle is an Associate Professor of Communication Sciences and Disorders at Montclair State University where he teaches graduate courses in fluency disorders and researches psychosocial aspects of stuttering (e.g., stigma, disclosure, self-efficacy).

About Rita:

Rita Thurman has worked in the schools and in clinical settings in Utah, Idaho, Illinois, Montana and North Carolina since 1977. Her private practice in Raleigh, North Carolina and Bozeman, Montana focuses on the evaluation and treatment of children, teens and adults who stutter. She is an NSA Adult and Teen Chapter leader, and sponsors an annual Friend’s Workshop in NC. She is the Chair of the Executive Board of the American Board of Fluency and Fluency Disorders.

About Farzan:

Dr. Farzan Irani is an Associate Professor in the Department of Communication Disorders at Texas State University and currently serves as the coordinator for the American Speech Language-Hearing Association’s Special Interest Group 4 (Fluency and Fluency Disorders). At Texas State University, he teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in stuttering and has directed an intensive stuttering therapy program for adolescents and adults who stutter every summer since 2010. He is interested in treatment outcomes for stuttering therapy and the application of telepractice to stuttering therapy.

About Reuben:

Reuben Schuff, MS, P.E. is an aerospace engineer, person who stutters, space enthusiast, juggler, Toastmaster and author. He is former NSA family chapter leader, and served on the NSA Research Committee. He is a workshop leader, and volunteers with FRIENDS. Reuben was Stuttertalk guest, host and author, as well as an ISAD author. He serves as the consumer representative on the ABFFD and is a board member for Stuttering Scholarship Alliance.

Mastering the Word Equity Model

Dominique Kennedy

Communication is the cornerstone of strong relationships. Expression, relaying information, sharing thoughts, ideas and perspectives, occur by way of verbal and nonverbal exchange. The methods that are chosen and applied function as a means to capture and reflect the story and lived experiences of the communicator on a personal and relational level. It is at this level that communication partners can seek to openly encounter one another. Through this communicative exchange, parties can engage in the essence of intentional speech that adds value to self and others.

About Dominique:

Dominique Kennedy is an experienced and licensed Speech-Language Pathologist and author. Through her private practice, she serves children and adults. She is a certified member of ASHA and has held memberships with Special Interest Groups (SIGs) Fluency & Fluency Disorders and Augmentative & Alternative Communication. She has developed educational programs, professional development courses, and workshops. She lives in the Atlanta Metro area of Georgia with her husband and their two daughters.

Tweens & Teens: Growth Mindset and the PWS

Eli & Nicole Taulman

Developing the right mindset early on is crucial for a successful, happy life. When we learn that putting forth effort and using the right strategies can help us get better at things, we feel empowered and try harder (and we’re not talking about stuttering strategies!). When we know our brains are capable of GROWING, that we are not supposed to have it all figured out right now, we are more confident, resilient, and are not afraid to fail! If you’re not winning, you’re learning! Join TAC member Eli and mom, Nicole, as they lead participants through exercises to help them understand the different mindsets and set their minds toward GROWTH!

About Eli & Nicole:

Eli Taulman has been stuttering as long as he can remember. He and his mom, Nicole, have been on a mission to advocate for the stuttering community and show that we all have struggles, and we can get through them with grace and joy! Eli will be a senior in high school this fall and is a member of the TAC. Nicole works for a company out of Brooklyn, NY, that provides in-home speech therapy and literacy support to students. She often shares Eli’s story with families of Persons Who Stutter.

Kids: Stuttering Jeopardy

Lydia Webb & Cooper Clemons

Do you know everything there is about stuttering? This workshop is your chance to test your knowledge and challenge your friends! Stutterers and siblings will be working together to beat the clock in this stuttering related trivia competition. The team with the most points at the end of the game will be declared the 2021 Stuttering Jeopardy Champions!

About Lydia:

Lydia Webb (19) has stuttered her whole life and found the NSA at the age 12. They recently graduated from Sinclair Community College in May 2021 with her associates degree in Liberal Arts. She was previously on the TAC in 2019 and chapter leader of the Dayton family chapter. She considers the NSA to be their other family and is so excited that there is a 2021 conference and she gets to see all the their friends again.

About Cooper:

Coming Soon!

3:00 PM to 4:00 PM

Friday, July 9

Masks – Not Just During Covid*

Covert (Panel) Dr. Charley Adams, Anthony Valle, Sivan Aulov

At Halloween, people enjoy wearing costumes. They enjoy it because it’s fun to pretend to be someone else. Some people wear their costumes year-round. How about you? Do you pretend to be fluent sometimes? Do you wear your costume all of the time? Join us to talk about hiding and coming out of hiding.

About Charley:

Charley Adams is a clinical assistant professor at the University of South Carolina.  He began teaching graduate coursework on stuttering in 2000 and established the Columbia, SC chapter of the NSA in 2001.  Charley joined the NSA’s Board of Directors in 2019. Charley received the award for NSA Regional Chapter Coordinator of the Year in 2011, and in 2013 he was awarded the NSA’s Speech-Language Pathologist of the Year.  Charley has presented on stuttering and fluency disorders at the local, national, and international levels.  He takes a particular interest in covert stuttering and cluttering. Charley enjoys spending time with his son Noah, age 16, and his dog Lola, aged 3.  If the weather is nice, there’s a decent chance that he’s somewhere playing disc golf.

About Anthony:

Senior Police Officer Anthony Valle is a 30 year veteran with the Houston Police Department (HPD).   He began his career as a patrol officer at the Southeast Patrol Station.  He also served at Central Patrol, Northwest Patrol, and North Patrol Police Stations.  After 10 years serving the community on patrol, Senior Officer Valle left patrol to become a Greater Houston Police Activities League (G.H.P.A.L) Officer.  Later he served in the Jail Division, Homicide Division – Crime Scene Unit, then in the Office of Public Affairs – Community Services Unit for 8 years.  In July 2017, he began his current assignment of serving in HPD’s Gang Division – G.R.E.A.T. Unit.

About Sivan:

Sivan Aulov has called Dallas, Texas ‘home’ for the last ten years. She is passionate about supporting the National Stuttering Association’s mission and enjoys giving back to the community that gave her so much. In her spare time, she enjoys training for marathons, reading books at various coffee shops in the city, and trying new restaurants with her friends and family.

Self-Advocacy at Work: Challenging Negative Stereotypes in the Workplace*

Derek Mitchell & Carl Coffey

Many false assumptions and negative stereotypes about stuttering persist in the workplace. Employers may equate stuttering with anxiety or reticence and poor interpersonal skills. Left unchecked, such biases can hinder meaningful employment and career advancement. This workshop offers strategies for the person who stutters to feel empowered to challenge and correct harmful workplace assumptions.

About Derek:

Derek Mitchell is the leader of the NSA Atlanta Adult Chapter and has been actively involved in the stuttering community since 2013. Derek is a graduate of Georgia State University with an MBA in International Business. For the past eight years, he’s been working as an IT project management professional in the technology and education fields. Outside of the NSA and work, Derek has a passion for food, travel, exploring nature, action movies, public speaking, and the occasional hang glide.

About Carl:

Carl Coffey is a Kentucky resident (by way of Richmond, VA) and a person who stutters. He attended his first chapter meeting in 2014 when he sought support on being more confident while presenting in meetings at work. He attended his first conference in 2016 and found how impactful the NSA is to people worldwide.

Carl continues to find ways to put himself out there and be an advocate for people who stutter. In 2019, he was interviewed by his local NPR station to speak about stuttering and to promote the NSA’s Bowling Green, KY chapter. Carl stays busy as a newlywed to his beautiful wife Brittany and father to three animals, Malley, Pearl, and Scooby.

Introduction to an Awareness/Advocacy Campaign

Joshua Bodman & Gregg Benedikt

Over 70 million people stutter– yet it continues to be outwardly ridiculed in the media, entertainment, and even politics. Wanting to do their part to raise awareness, two friends (who originally met at an NSA conference) and a designer recently joined forces to create StutteringIsNoJoke.org. This one-hour interactive workshop will peek behind the scenes of a newly launched campaign, share best practices to develop or strengthen a brand message, and foster networking with others who are passionate about stuttering. Join us for an inside look at how we launched a stuttering awareness/advocacy campaign — and how you can too!

About Josh:

As a person who stutters, Josh Bodman knows the importance of being heard. As a professor, creative director, and founder of Stuttering is No Joke, he helps individuals find their place and helps businesses succeed in the market.

About Gregg:

Gregg Benedikt is a long-time member and friend of the NSA. This is his 25th conference in a row. He’s a creative director in NYC and also an adjunct professor.

Hey Ladies; Let’s Chat

Dr. Brittany Rutland, Rosie Brown, Kelly Henderson

Join us for a fascinating look into women’s experiences with stuttering. We will offer a supportive environment for vibrant discussions exploring the impact of stuttering on family, peer, professional and intimate relationships. Discussions will dive into women’s anecdotal experiences with birth, dating, raising children, hormone/body cycles, and life changes. Join us to participate in meaningful and uncensored conversations about the unique experiences of women who stutter.

About Dr. Rutland:

Brittany Falcon Rutland Ph.D.,CCC-SLP is a person who stutters and has ten years of experience working in a private practice and university setting with children and adults who stutter. She has presented at local,national, and international conferences. She lives in Houston, TX with her husband and two year old daughter.

About Rosie:

Rosie Brown, is a Speech Language Pathologist at an Elementary school in Houston, Texas. She has been involved in the National Stuttering Association since 2008 including her role as the Houston chapter leader for five years. Being a part of the stuttering community has helped her to learn and grow alongside others who are on their own journey.

About Kelly:

Kelly Henderson M.A. CCC-SLP is a person who stutters and has been working as the lead SLP to a school district. She has provided multiple professional developments for her colleagues focusing on centering the experience of a person who stutters in evaluation and treatment. Kelly lives in Houston with her husband James, and her two daughters Margie and Dolly. She is also known for her amazing guacamole recipe and her loud laugh.

Kids, Tweens & Teens: To the Young Person Who Stutters

Vince Vawter

As a young person who stutters, I made all the mistakes! At 75 and after a successful career in newspaper publishing, I don’t have all the answers, but I certainly know the questions well! Young people and parents, I’ve been where you are now. Let’s talk about the questions, and maybe we’ll happen upon a few answers.

About Vince:

Vince Vawter, 75, enjoyed a successful career as a newspaper editor and publisher. He retired at 60 to devote his time to writing novels about his youthful experiences with a stutter. “Paperboy,” published by Penguin Random House, received a Newbery Honor in 2014 from the American Library Association. “Copyboy,” published in 2018, is a Junior Library Guild Selection.

4:30 PM to 5:15 PM

Friday, July 9

Prepaid Evening Tour

Haunted History Walking Tour

For a not-so-typical take on Austin history, tour guests will experience the ghastly tales of this historic city on this storyteller-led haunted walking tour! Get ready for a good scare as you head out for your nighttime adventure to uncover tales of ghosts, murderers, and the spooky stories in between. Stop at haunted attractions, including the Driskill Hotel, and hear about how Austin has developed over the decades.

NOTE: The majority of the tour is outside; however, masks are encouraged for all customers. Masks are required when entering any historic buildings, including the Driskill hotel.

Meet in hotel lobby at 7:30PM

Saturday, July 10th

Saturday At A Glance

9:30 AM – 10:30 AM 10:45 AM – 11:45 AM
Chapter Leader Experience Tips For Talking To Your Medical Professional About Stuttering
The 3Es: An All-Inclusive Stuttering Therapy Tool* What Is “Relapse” And How To Beat It*
Kids & Tweens: Family Olympics Silver Foxes: Older Adults Who Stutter
Can A Person Who Stutters Become A Storyteller? Teens: Intersectionality: Finding Your Place Among Many Identities
1:30 PM – 2:30 PM 3:00 PM – 3:30 PM
Open Microphone Wrap-Up Closing Conference Wrap-Up
Taboo Topics
Closing Parent Roundtable
Kids: It’s Not Goodbye, It’s See You Next Year
Tweens Closing Roundtable
Teens Closing Roundtable

8:00 AM to 9:00 AM

Saturday, July 10

Chapter Leader & Regional Chapter Coordinator Breakfast

Current NSA Chapter Leaders and Regional Chapter Coordinators, this breakfast is just for you as our Board Chair’s way of saying thank you for your hard work and dedication throughout the year!

9:00 AM to 9:15 AM

Saturday, July 10

Morning Motivation

Take a deep breath, stretch those muscles, and start each day of the conference in the right mindset! Join us each morning to focus on your goals and set your intentions for the day ahead.

9:30 AM to 10:30 AM

Saturday, July 10

Chapter Leader Experience

Adult & Family Programs

Chapter Leaders and Regional Chapter Leaders, this workshop is FOR YOU! The Adult Programs and Family Programs Chairs will facilitate this IN-PERSON experience where we will learn from each other, network, and share stories, all of which will make us better leaders. This can’t miss workshop is for new chapter leaders and our seasoned pros!

The 3Es: An All-Inclusive Stuttering Therapy Tool*

Courtney Luckman & Katie Gore

Recent stuttering research explores areas such as social-environmental interactions (e.g., issues within the social model of disability) and the value of non-traditional behavioral interventions (e.g., mindfulness). However, our traditional frameworks for *how to do therapy* don’t integrate these considerable advances in EBP. We present a new “three-letter model” that builds on the ABC foundation that is practical, robust, and accessible. In this workshop, we will present a theoretical grounding of this model, discuss recent research that supports evidence-based therapy, provide a sampling of activities, and engage in case studies.

About Courtney:

Courtney Luckman, MA, CCC-SLP, is a person who stutters and speech-language pathologist at speech IRL specializing in the areas of stuttering and social communication. She has presented on stuttering research and clinical applications at several national conferences. This is Courtney’s 9th NSA conference.

About Katie:

Katie Gore, MA, CCC-SLP is the founder and director of speech IRL, a speech therapy and communication consulting firm based in Chicago, IL. Katie is an adjunct faculty member at Rush University where she teaches coursework in stuttering and fluency disorders. She is a former member of the Board of Directors of the National Stuttering Association, and is the co-founder and current Community Outreach Chair for Shared Voices Chicago. This is Katie’s 7th NSA conference.

Family Olympics

Family Programs

Flex your skills and participate in group activities such as relay races and other family team-building events.

Can A Person Who Stutters Become a Storyteller?

Patrick Gannon

Have you considered storytelling? Patrick Gannon, a PWS, will provide a brief overview of storytelling, including why tell stories, types of stories, and basic story elements. Participants will pair up and share a three-minute personal narrative story. Materials about storytelling groups, instruction books, and printed stories will be distributed. This is a one-of-a-kind collaborative learning experience!

About Patrick:

Patrick Gannon, is a retired Elementary School Teacher, who taught mostly third grade. During his teaching career, he loved reading stories to my students. For the past 8 years, he has told stories with the Portland Storytellers Guild(OR) while successfully performing in front of audiences of up to 125 people.

10:45 AM – 11:45 AM

Saturday, July 10

Tips for Talking to your Medical Professional about Stuttering

Brittany Rutland

Have you ever wondered about your medical professional’s knowledge and training in the area of stuttering? Or have you wondered how to best ‘teach’ a medical professional about something you are an expert on- stuttering? This workshop will disseminate available research that examines medical professionals’ knowledge and training in the area of stuttering as well as provide advocacy strategies for interacting with medical professionals. Join us for this opportunity to share your stories, tips for choosing the best practitioners, and ways to spot a practitioner who may need resources. This will be an eye-opening discussion!

About Dr. Rutland:

Brittany Falcon Rutland Ph.D.,CCC-SLP is a person who stutters and has ten years of experience working in a private practice and university setting with children and adults who stutter. She has completed research regarding physician’s knowledge of stuttering and applies this to her clinical practice. She has presented at local,national, and international conferences. She currently lives in Houston, TX with her husband and two year old daughter.

What is “Relapse” and How to Beat it*

Reuben Schuff

Many PWS tell a story about “relapse” and how we struggle with it during our journey. We will explore what relapse means to you and how and why we experience it. Key concepts will be presented; however, the majority of the workshop will be a group discussion. The stuttering journey is one of life’s most challenging endeavors. Navigating transitions, managing anxiety, dealing with a spectrum of fluency and confidence are key to long-term change and recovery. Whether you are a first-timer or a veteran member of NSA, this workshop will help develop and strengthen your framework for a robust model of positive change to live our best lives!

About Reuben:

Reuben Schuff, MS, P.E. is an aerospace engineer, person who stutters, space enthusiast, juggler, Toastmaster and author. He is former NSA family chapter leader, and served on the NSA Research Committee. He is a workshop leader, and volunteers with FRIENDS. Reuben was Stuttertalk guest, host and author, as well as an ISAD author. He serves as the consumer representative on the ABFFD and is a board member for Stuttering Scholarship Alliance.

Silver Foxes: Older Adults Who Stutter

Doug Scott

Everyone who stutters is on a journey, and older adults who stutter have a unique journey as they enter retirement age, become grandparents, and continue to make workplace contributions. Join longtime NSA’er Doug Scott for this discussion (age 50+).

About Doug:

Born and raised in Houston, Texas, USA, Doug is married and father to two grown sons. Doug is a graduate of The University of Texas at Austin with a BBA degree in Business/Engineering Management, and employed for nearly 30 years at Vallourec and Mannesmann Corp., a French/German-owned global pipe and steel company, working in Information Technology and General Accounting, as a Systems Administrator, and Accounts Receivable Associate.

Doug began stuttering at age seven and quickly advanced to a moderate/severe stutterer. Stuttering had a profound and controlling hold on his life until 1988, when he entered Precision Fluency Shaping Program therapy. He credits PFSP and involvement in the NSA, enabling him to manage his stutter and live his best life as an adult.

Teens: Intersectionality: Finding Your Place Among Many Identities

Ashleigh Givens & Gabriela Perez

In this workshop, we will explore intersectionality, discussing various forms of identities and how they exist within us. We will specifically explore race, sexuality, gender, gender identity, and we will discuss how these identities affect our identity as people who stutter. We will explore how communities one identifies with treat others within the community who identify as a minority or as a person with a disability. The workshop will close with guided group discussions of personal experiences with intersectionality within the stuttering and other communities.

About Ashleigh:

Ashleigh Givens is currently a junior at The College for Creative Studies in Detroit, Michigan majoring in digital photography. As the chair of the social media committee, Ashleigh wholeheartedly believes in the mission of the NSA and wants to make sure every teen who stutters feels safe and supported within the NSA. Not remembering a time when she didn’t stutter, Ashleigh wants to change society’s view of stuttering so that people who stutter don’t feel they have to live in fear about being open with their speech. Ashleigh always wants to empower people who stutter and continues to be inspired by their perseverance.

About Gabriela:

Gabriela Perez is currently a student at the University of Chicago majoring in Latin American and Iberian Languages and Global Studies. She has been stuttering for as long as she remembers and is very grateful to have discovered the NSA community. She loves being able to meet and interact with other people who stutter. Gabriela’s first conference was Fort Lauderdale, and she is excited for another (in-person) conference whenever it is safe! Outside of school, Gabriela is part of a dance group, on the board of the Multiethnic Student Society, involved in the Institute for Politics, and works downtown for a legal aid clinic.

12:00 PM to 1:30 PM

Saturday, July 10

Lunch on your own

Grab a friend and hit one of the many nearby or onsite eateries, cafes, and restaurants for a quick bite before the afternoon sessions start. With everything from Texas BBQ to craft cocktails to light bites nearby, there’s something for every person and every price range!

1:30 PM to 2:45 PM

Saturday, July 10

Open Microphone Wrap-Up

Some of the best days of your life are coming to an end (at least until next year!). Join us to share your conference experiences, what you’ve learned, and what you’ll be taking home with you from the past few days!

Taboo Topics

John Tetnowski, Brittany Rutland, Anne Williams, Monica Johnson

Back by popular demand! This interactive workshop provides a venue for topics that stretch the borders of “openness” and sharing as they relate to stuttering. The panel suggests the topics, but YOU, the attendees, set the agenda. This interactive workshop promotes topics that we all think about but are “taboo” in many settings (just not this one). Past topics have been related to race/ethnicity, gender identity/sexuality, dating, addictions, etc. Adults (18+) only, please!

About John:

John A. Tetnowski is the Jeanette Sias Endowed Chair in Communication Sciences and Disorders at Oklahoma State University. He has over 25 years of clinical experience and is a board certified fluency specialist. He has published over 80 manuscripts in fluency disorders and research methods and is an ASHA Fellow. He is the current editor of Perspectives in Fluency Disorders, and a past NSA SLP of the Year. He has led support groups/self-help groups in Florida, Oregon, Louisiana & Oklahoma.

About Dr. Rutland:

Brittany Rutland, PhD. is a person who stutters and has treated people who stutter for almost 10 years. She has completed research regarding physician’s knowledge of stuttering and applies this to her clinical practice.

About Dr. Johnson:

Monica Johnson, Ph.D. is a long-time advocate for people who stutter. She has spent almost 10 years in clinical practice specializing in stuttering. Her current research involves dating practices of people who stutter and their partners.

Parents: Closing Roundtable

Holly Nover

Some of the best days of your life are coming to an end (at least until next year!). Join us to share your conference experiences, what you’ve learned, and what you’ll be taking home with you from the past few days!

About Holly:

Holly is a person who stutters, a parent of a child that stutters, and a Speech Language Pathologist (SLP) who has been active with the NSA since 2007. Holly lives in Jacksonville, Florida with her husband and is the mother of two boys and a Labrador Retriever. She enjoys watching sporting events, traveling to tropical locations, puzzles, spending time at the beach, and organizing. Holly is a loyal Jacksonville Jaguars fan.

Kids: It’s Not Goodbye, It’s See You Next Year

Emily Webb

Did you have fun during this conference?! Well, come on, kids, and join us for one more party! There will be games and snacks, and we’ll let our friends know what we loved most about this amazing conference. Get ready to have a blast and make some special memories that will last all year long until NSA’s 2022 National Conference!

About Emily:

Emily Webb is the daughter and sister of 2 people who stutter. She lives near Dayton, Ohio, is a certified EMT, and is trained to work with vulnerable women in society, as well as the homeless community. Emily has attended the NSA conference since 2014, has volunteered with the kids’ program since 2015, and been a presenter of a variety of workshops since 2017. Emily absolutely loves the NSA Kids and is so excited and blessed to be serving her 3rd year as NSA’s Kids Programming Co-Coordinator.

Tweens: Closing Roundtable

Some of the best days of your life are coming to an end (at least until next year!). Join us to share your conference experiences, what you’ve learned, and what you’ll be taking home with you from the past few days.

Teens: Closing Roundtable

Some of the best days of your life are coming to an end (at least until next year!). Join us to share your conference experiences, what you’ve learned, and what you’ll be taking home with you from the past few days!

3:00 PM to 3:30 PM

Saturday, July 10

Closing Conference Wrap-Up

After the workshops have drawn to a close, but before we get ready to party, let’s come together one last time to share what we’ve experienced during the past few days. Often regarded as one of the most moving moments of the conference, the Closing Ceremony provides a few speakers with a chance to share just how life-changing the time spent immersed in the stuttering community can be. Plus, the kids usually have a surprise up their sleeve. And a few lucky winners may take home some amazing raffle prizes.

6:45 PM –

Saturday, July 10

You’re Not Alone Annual Ball

6:45 PM Cocktails in the Foyer | 7:00 PM Doors Open

Join us for a fun, celebratory evening with dinner, awards, entertainment, and dancing. This event is fun for the WHOLE family – kids are encouraged to come out and hit the dance floor! Recommended attire is business casual, but you’re invited to dress up or dress down in whatever is most comfortable for you – it’s a party!