The National Stuttering Association, or NSA, offers information, support and friendship to individuals and families throughout the United States. Founded in California by Bob Goldman and Michael Sugarman in January 1977, the NSA has a history of engaging in outreach and advocacy projects to benefit the stuttering community. The National Stuttering Association is a leader in the nationwide community of organizations dedicated to serving people who stutter.
Nationwide, the NSA provides individuals, parents and the public with education and training. More than 125 local chapters offer families and individuals of all ages information, resources, referrals and support. The association reaches out to people who stutter through newsletters, events and materials designed to educate, motivate and inspire. The NSA also offers scholarships to intensive stuttering therapy programs as part of its efforts to encourage individuals to improve communication skills.
The NSA regularly holds conferences to inform and educate the public
As part of its ongoing outreach efforts, the National Stuttering Association and its members participate in National Stuttering Awareness Week. The organization played an instrumental role in petitioning Congress to establish National Stuttering Awareness Week in 1988. Today, the NSA continues to work with the media and speech-language pathologists during this week to educate the public and reach out to individuals who stutter. Other outreach projects conducted by the NSA have included declaring 1996 the Year of the Child Who Stutters, and hosting conferences during that year which focused on diagnosis and treatment of stuttering in young people. The NSA hosted a joint conference for consumers and scientists in 2001. This conference focused on encouraging collaboration between individuals who stutter, clinicians and researchers to promote stuttering research. Outreach and advocacy remain a primary goal of the organization.
As a member of the International Stuttering Association, the NSA works together with other national organizations dedicated to improving the lives of people who stutter. The NSA strives to serve as a leader in supporting people who stutter, and in shaping understanding and treatment of stuttering. With its broad national presence and large community of support groups, the NSA plays a vital role in supporting the stuttering community.