From Stammering Child to Youth Panel Leader: My Journey with ASC

Did you know that around 8% of children (1 in every 12) stammer at some point? In a school class of 30, that could be at least two young people. I was one of them, and now, as part of the 1% of adults who stammer, I’ve been living with it for over 20 years.

My name is Sam, I’m in my mid-20s, and stammering has shaped so much of my life. Because it’s such a big part of who I am, I’ve always wanted to raise awareness about stammering and its impact on young people. That is where Action for Stammering Children (ASC) and their brilliant project, the Youth Panel, come in.

ASC’s mission is simple but powerful: to create a world where having a stammer does not hold back anyone’s ambitions. Among their many projects, the Youth Panel stood out to me because it gives young people who stammer a voice. It brings together 15–25 year-olds to connect, share experiences, and shape ASC’s strategy and advocacy work, making sure that real experiences are heard where it matters most.

I first joined the Youth Panel in 2019/20, and I am now proud to be its Panel Leader. Over the years, I have been involved in some amazing projects – from creating educational tools for schools, to producing an ad campaign that tackled stammering myths, and even designing stammer-awareness merch. Each project has been about raising the profile of stammering in a positive and empowering way.

One of the best parts of the panel is the community. Being surrounded by people who truly understand, who have lived through the same challenges and triumphs, is something really special. We run the panel a bit like a committee, with roles such as Treasurer, Co-ordinator, Recruiter, and Social Media, but everyone chips in and supports one another.

And the best news? Youth Panel applications are now open! If you are aged 15–25 and want to make a difference for young people who stammer, we would love to hear from you.

I am always happy to chat if you have questions about what being on the panel involves. Hopefully, I will see you at the next Youth Panel meeting!