Saturday, October 26th, 2024
Naperville North High School
899 N Mill St, Naperville, IL 60563
Join us on Saturday, October 26th, 2024, at Naperville North High School, IL, for a one-day event designed for adults, families, and speech-language pathologists (SLPs). This event offers valuable insights, support, and resources for the stuttering community, providing a space for learning, connection, and growth.
This is a unique opportunity for people who stutter of all ages, along with their families and friends, to come together to reflect on how we can make room for stuttering in our lives. The day will be filled with opportunities to connect with others, have fun, and explore the many dimensions of stuttering. There will be workshops specifically tailored to kids (7-12) and teens (13-17), adults who stutter, and family and friends of people who stutter (such as parents and significant others). There will also be workshops specifically tailored for SLPs, providing the opportunity to earn 0.35 ASHA CEUs and deepen their knowledge of stuttering and treatment strategies.
Coffee, snacks, and lunch will be provided.
Day At A Glance
Kids/Teens Workshops
Fun & Games and Getting to Know You
Play games and have fun getting to know each other.
(Sarah Onofri)
This is What My Stutter Looks Like
Put your creativity to the test and make a piece of art that resembles your stuttering.
(Jess Kossack & Sara Marie Wheeler)
Stuttering Jeopardy
Show off your knowledge and learn some things you may not know about stuttering.
(Molly Porzel)
Adult Workshops
Invisible Courage
People who stutter are vulnerable and authentic as soon as we open our mouths to speak, let’s explore how we can also develop self confidence and courage.
(Dr. Saundra Russell-Smith)
Find Your Five
Explore how finding balance and control in five areas of your life can help overcome some of life's adversities that stuttering can bring.
(Derek Sutor)
Stuttering in the Workplace
Discover how stuttering can be an advantage in the workplace and learn how to self advocate and advertise.
(Jess Kossack)
Family/Friend Workshops
What is Stuttering?
Dive in to discover the meaning of stuttering, debunk common myths, and explore current evidence.
(Nick Caruso M.S., CCC-SLP & Kyle Pelkey, M.S., CCC-SLP)
Sharing Stories
Share experiences in supporting the people we love
who happen to stutter.
(Dana Koprowski & Molly Porzel)
Ask Us Anything
(A panel of PWS)
an open discussion where people who stutter share their experiences and answer your questions!
(Ross Christensen, M.A., CCC-SLP)
SLP Workshops
*SLPs earn 0.35 ASHA CEUs
Foundations of Stuttering
Rewiring our stuttering understandings and approaches to set clients and SLPs up for success.
(Ana Hernandez, M.S. CCC-SLP)
What We Wish They Knew
Listen to different people who stutter share their experiences in speech therapy and navigating life as a person who stutters.
(Sarah Onofri)
Foundations of Therapy
The core of a fluency disorder has little to do with fluent speech, we’ll explore the missing elements of stuttering therapy.
(Ana Hernandez, M.S. CCC-SLP)
(CEU descriptions cont.)
Foundations of Stuttering
Rewiring our stuttering understandings and approaches to set clients and SLPs up for success. The therapy you provide stems from the foundations you've laid. Reset your understanding of stuttering with updated knowledge and considerations for the whole person.
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Considering the full experience of stuttering.
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What does "acceptance" look like?
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Considerations for parent guidance.
Foundations of Therapy
The core of a fluency disorder has little to do with fluent speech, we’ll explore the missing elements of stuttering therapy.
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Whole person centered activities.
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Why fluency strategies are optional.
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How to implement tools to last a life-time.
Presenter Bios
Ana Hernandez
Ana Hernandez, M.S. CCC-SLP is the founder of Adult Stuttering, a practice focused on adults who stutter. She noticed a gap in quality care for adults and now advocates for improving their quality of life, not fluency. Ana created Green Social, is a SPERO Ally, and collaborates with SuperPenguin and other stuttering organizations. She also hosts her own stuttering-focused webinar. Outside of work, Ana enjoys pilates, classic literature, and exploring restaurants in Chicago.
Nick
Caruso
Nick Caruso, M.S., CCC-SLP is a speech-language pathologist at the Chmela Communication Center, where he works with clients who stutter or have other speech and language needs. Nick is also a Camp Shout Out Facilitator and co-director of its Community Connections virtual program. He has presented at conferences in the U.S. and abroad and remains grateful for the guidance of his mentors in his professional journey.
Dr. Saundra Russell-Smith
Dr. Saundra Russell-Smith is a district-office educator in Naperville, Illinois, and a lifelong learner and teacher. She attended her first NSA conference in 2018 and has become an ambassador for people who stutter. She holds degrees in Psychology, Elementary Education, and Educational Leadership, along with a Superintendent's Endorsement. Dr. Russell-Smith lives in Chicago with her husband Mashuan, and their daughter Victoria, who will be attending Ball State University.
Sara Marie
Wheeler
Sara Marie Wheeler is proud to be a person who stutters and is passionate about educating others. She is pursuing a master’s degree in communication sciences and disorders at Elmhurst University to become a speech-language pathologist, with a focus on neurodiverse-affirming care. In her free time, Sara enjoys watching TV, reading, taking road trips to Georgia, and talking to her dogs as if they were human.
Ross Christensen
Ross Christensen, M.A., CCC-SLP is a speech-language pathologist and a person who stutters. He has been involved in the NSA as a chapter leader in the Chicago and Phoenix areas. Ross’s approach to stuttering emphasizes embracing one’s voice and fostering supportive environments. In his work, he spreads the NSA's message of "It's OK to stutter," helping others find confidence and acceptance.
Kyle
Pelkey
Kyle Pelkey, M.S., CCC-SLP is a speech-language pathologist at the Chmela Communication Center, where he provides assessment and treatment for clients with stuttering or other speech and language needs. He has presented at various conferences and serves as a facilitator at Camp Shout Out. Kyle’s experiences as a chapter leader and his work with mentors have shaped his career and his approach to helping others embrace their communication journeys.
Derek
Sutor
Derek Sutor is a Special Education Teacher and Varsity Baseball Coach in St. Charles, Illinois. With 19 years of experience, Derek helps students become the best versions of themselves by drawing from his own experiences as a person who stutters. He was honored as Teacher of the Year in 2019 and is a passionate advocate for instilling hope and making a positive impact on students.
Molly
Porzel
Molly Porzel is the wife of a person who stutters and mother to two children who stutter. She leads the NSA St. Louis Kids Chapter and works as an early childhood special education paraprofessional while pursuing her Master’s in Social Work. Molly is dedicated to creating a supportive community for young people who stutter, and she brings her personal and professional experiences to her advocacy work.
Jess
Kossack
Jess Kossack has been actively involved in the NSA since 2009, serving as a Chapter Leader and facilitating workshops at the NSA Annual Conference. She lives in Hanover Park, Illinois, and works as a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor for the Veterans Health Administration, helping veterans with disabilities find employment. Jess’s work is centered around empowering veterans to achieve success in their professional lives.
Dana
Koprowski
Dana Koprowski has been part of the NSA since 2018 and attended her first conference in Chicago. She works as an Assistant Property Manager, where communication with the public is crucial. Dana is also a proud single mother to three-year-old Grayson, who is full of energy and a great communicator. She enjoys balancing her professional responsibilities with the joys and challenges of motherhood.
Sarah
Onofri
Sarah Onofri has been involved with the NSA since 2006 and currently serves as Event & Programming Coordinator and Family Chapter Coordinator. She co-leads the NSA Boston Adult and Family Chapters. Sarah lives in Boston, Massachusetts, and teaches English as a Second Language at an elementary school. Her dedication to the NSA and her role in fostering community for families is a cornerstone of her involvement.
Questions?
Contact Sarah Onofri, Event & Programming Coordinator at sarahonofri@westutter.org.