At Home with Stuttering: 2026 CSA-NLSA Joint Conference

Coupled with this year's conference is a full-day educational event for speech-language pathologists and students, Practical Strategies for Improving Therapy Outcomes with School Age Children Who Stutter, on Friday, August 21, 8:30am-4:30pm.

Welcome Message

Join us at the 2026 Canadian Stuttering Association & Newfoundland and Labrador Stuttering Association Conference: At Home with Stuttering, in picturesque St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador. 

Perched on a rock at the edge of the Atlantic, St. John’s is known for its brightly coloured row houses, rugged coastline, warm hospitality, and rich ocean culture stemming from early settlers. In Newfoundland and Labrador, visitors are affectionately known as “Come From Aways,” reflecting a culture that embraces newcomers exactly as they are with open arms.  

This year’s theme invites us to reflect on what it means to feel truly “at home,” not only in a place, but within ourselves. At Home with Stuttering speaks to acceptance and the freedom to speak without fear or censorship. It is about embracing our stuttering as part of who we are, rather than something to hide. It is about creating space where every voice belongs. 

Our conferences have long been a gathering place for connection, learning, and celebration. Whether you are a person who stutters, a family member, a clinician, an educator, or an ally, you will find a community that understands, supports, and uplifts. Together, we share experiences, build confidence, deepen understanding, and strengthen the bonds that remind us that we are not alone. 

In St. John’s, a city shaped by resilience, warmth, and the meeting of land and sea, we invite you to come as you are. Come to learn. Come to connect. Come to feel at home with your stuttering, and with one another. 

Conference Schedule

Explore the exciting lineup of speakers, workshops, events and networking opportunities by clicking the Schedule button on the right. 

Keynote Speakers

There will be two keynotes, one for each full day of the conference. 

Rosalee Shenker, Ph.D., SLP

Four decades of change. What people who stutter have taught me.

Over the past 40 years I have been privileged to know countless persons who stutter; from young children to teens, adults and their parents. They came to me for help, but in many ways, they became my teachers. Their stories often challenged what I believed about successful treatment, reshaped my clinical practice and reminded me that the goal is not simply fluency. In this presentation I will share the lessons they have taught me, reflecting on how stuttering treatment has evolved from the focus on only eliminating stuttering to increasing confidence and meaningful communication
About the speaker

Rosalee Shenker is a stuttering specialist, researcher, mentor, teacher, and expert clinician. Alongside a career treating stuttering across the lifespan in both private practice and hospital settings, Rosalee was the founder and first Executive Director of the Montreal Fluency Centre (MFC), a non-profit organization for the treatment of children with communication and learning difficulties. Rosalee’s vision shaped the MFC’s growth, balancing clinical and professional mentoring, daily operations, and long-term fundraising and program management. For over 40 years, Rosalee has been committed not just to clinical excellence but to mentoring and teaching young clinicians. As adjunct professor at McGill University School of Communication Sciences and Disorders, she taught the graduate course in Stuttering from 1978 until 2010. A charter member of the Lidcombe Program Trainers Consortium, Rosalee is responsible for coordination of clinical training in the Lidcombe Program in North America and has trained over 2000 clinicians in this approach for nearly 30 years. Rosalee continues to contribute new ideas to the field by publishing in peer-reviewed journals and presenting at international conferences. Her research interests are in development of evidence-based clinical practice, evaluation of treatment outcomes, and assessment/treatment of bilingual children who stutter. She is currently a partner at Stuttering Specialists Montreal and a proud grandmother of 4.

Catherine Moroney

Redefining “overcoming stuttering” (when you can’t not stutter)

I have fully accepted the fact that I will always stutter in a fashion that is immediately obvious to anyone who hears me say more than three or four consecutive words, and as such I have been forced to redefine the traditional notion of what success means.  I therefore want to broaden the definition of “overcoming stuttering” to celebrate not only those who have succeeded by ceasing to stutter, but those of us who have made their way in the world while continuing to stutter.  It is not a choice to have a disability but it is a choice to be disabled by it.

About the speaker

Catherine is a physicist and software engineer who has had a long career (30+ years) of studying the importance of clouds in the climate system by generating and analyzing satellite data, most of which has been spent at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (California Institute of Technology/NASA).  Despite having lived a long time in the US, she considers Canada to be her home and is an alumnus and former staff member at both McGill University and University of Toronto. She has been active in the national and international stuttering communities since the early 1990s and has served on the CSA Board of Directors as Secretary from 2019, with no end date in sight.

Hotel

We are pleased to offer a negotiated conference rate of $229 per night at the Delta Hotel, located right in the heart of downtown St. John’s, steps from the waterfront. The hotel is surrounded by a vibrant mix of bars, restaurants, and local attractions, making it an ideal place to stay while experiencing the energy and culture of the city. Delta Hotel is wheelchair-accessible.

To secure the conference rate, reservations must be made by Wednesday, July 22, 2026. We encourage you to book early to ensure you meet this deadline. Please note that reservations may be cancelled free of charge up to 48 hours prior to arrival.

The booking link will be provided in your registration confirmation email after you complete conference registration. This process ensures that the discounted rate is reserved exclusively for conference attendees and cannot be accessed by non-CSA members.

This negotiated rate is available for up to three days before and three days after the conference. We suggest you consider visiting the province before and after the conference.

Check-in is after 3:00 PM, and check-out is by 12:00 noon.

Registration

The deadline for early bird registration is July 7, 2026. As a bonus, early bird registrants will be entered into a draw for swag at the conference.

With your 2-day or 1-day conference registration, you will receive buffet meals at breakfast and lunch, as well as refreshments during morning and afternoon breaks. Those registered for 2 days will be invited to our Friday evening Meet & Greet Reception, with hors d'oevres (appetizer dishes) included and a cash bar. There is a separate charge for the Saturday night banquet. 

* Family registration is subsidized and is intended for a child who stutters (age 17 and under), one or both parents, and their siblings.

Cancellation policy: All registrations for the conference event are final and non-refundable.

Banquet, Talent Show, and Dance

A highlight of the conference, the Saturday night banquet offers a chance to dress up and enjoy an evening of great food, entertainment, and camaraderie. Attendees can look forward to a delicious three-course meal and entertainment. It’s a perfect opportunity to relax, celebrate, and connect with both new and familiar faces. 

The evening’s menu will feature a fresh garden greens appetizer, entrée options including braised beef or seared Atlantic salmon, and a caramel truffle cake for dessert. A children’s meal (chicken fingers, fries, a cookie, and a drink) will also be available for a reduced price. Dietary restrictions, including vegan and other special dietary needs, will be gladly accommodated.

Getting There

Take advantage of a 5% discount by flying with Air Canada. Use the following promotion code: WJ6GJH91.