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National Stuttering Association

Now, more than ever, your support is critical! Over 3 million American adults stutter and 1 out of 30 children confront this challenge daily. The National Stuttering Association® has made great strides over the past 35+ years

What does a local NSA chapter do?

Our purpose is to provide information, advocacy and mutual support for people who stutter and their families.

Will going to NSA meetings cure my stuttering?

No. We aren’t speech therapists and we don’t administer therapy, but participating in groups can help you deal with stuttering in several ways:

Changing your attitudes about stuttering can help eliminate the shame, guilt, and embarrassment that makes speaking difficult.

If you are seeking stuttering treatment, we can supply information that will help you choose the therapy program that best meets your needs. Our members have had first-hand experience with a number of treatment programs and were in touch with local speech-language pathologists who specialize in stuttering treatment.

If you are currently working with a speech therapist, self-help meetings are an opportunity to get more value out of your therapy by practicing speaking skills in a supportive environment.

What happens at an NSA meeting?

Our main monthly meetings are friendly and informal. Attendance ranges from 15 to 40 people. We open the meeting by “checking in” to share recent experiences. Then we usually have a discussion program to exchange information about stuttering and handling stuttering-related situations.

Will I have to talk or introduce myself?

We encourage everyone to share as they feel comfortable, but nobody’s going to put you on the spot. Members feel free to stutter without fear of embarrassment, and to practice speaking in a non-threatening environment.

Are there any dues or fees?

We used to consider you an NSA member only if you paid annual dues. That used to cover the cost of mailing our Letting Go newsletter and made the newsletter a “perk” of membership. Now that our publications are distributed mostly online, dropping the dues requirement enables us to be more inclusive. So people who participate in our programs can identify with the NSA as members whether or not they can contribute financially.

What do you get as a NSA supporter?

Supporters benefit from possible tax deductions, recognition as a contributor, and the satisfaction of knowing you are helping the NSA reach out to more people who stutter.

Why should I become a NSA supporter?

If participating in NSA activities has helped you, we hope you will “give back” to the extent you are able to contribute. Over the years, the NSA has grown because people came to us for support, gained self-confidence and strength through our programs, and were then empowered to reach out to others. Are you one of those people?