WARSAW — The National Stuttering Association Warsaw chapter invites local people who stutter, their family members and those who serve them, including speech-language pathologists, to attend its monthly meetings. Meeting attendees will learn about stuttering and explore new ways to cope with stuttering in a safe environment.

“One of the hardest things for me early on in my life was that I always felt like I was the only person in the world who stuttered and it destroyed my self confidence. The stereotypes placed on stutterers from folks who know nothing about it are broad and when we think we are alone, we believe those stereotypes and our speech is often worse as a result,” says Chapter Leader Greg Miller of Warsaw. 

“Once a person realizes that they are not alone, it’s much easier for them to share their experiences with others and use each other as a strong support system. The goal for my chapter is to develop a strong network of individuals who support one another, share wins, best practices, struggles, and lots of encouragement.”

Meetings of the Warsaw Chapter are held 7 p.m. the first Wednesday of each month at McDonald’s, 315 N Detroit Street. The next meeting will be held Wednesday, May 4.

The National Stuttering Association is the world’s largest stuttering support organization dedicated to providing support and resources to people who stutter. Chapter meetings are open to those who stutter, parents/significant others/friends of stutterers, speech-language pathologists, and anyone who wants to learn more about stuttering.

About one percent of the population stutters at any given time, and approximately five percent of people experience stuttering at some point in their lives. While the causes of stuttering are unknown, it is primarily a neurological disorder and is genetic in some cases.

Support group participation helps reduce the negative effects of stuttering and enhances the success of speech therapy. The National Stuttering Association works closely with speech professionals and refers people who stutter to speech-language pathologists who have the specialized qualifications needed for effective treatment.

More information about the National Stuttering Association is available here. The National Stuttering Association office can also be called at (800) 937-8888 or (212) 944-4050.