To say it takes bravery to pursue a degree in speech-language pathology (SLP) as a person who stutters would be an understatement. Talking is at the heart of what SLPs do—and for someone who stutters, every word can feel like it’s under a microscope. But for Heather Garza, her speech challenges never stopped her from chasing her dream.

Today, Heather is a bilingual school-based SLP working at the elementary level—and yes, she’s also a person who stutters.

From Challenge to Calling

Heather began her career providing therapy to bilingual and monolingual students in a diverse community. Her role has since expanded to include evaluations and the supervision of a bilingual speech-language pathology assistant (SLPA).

Beyond her caseload, she’s a sought-after resource among her colleagues—especially in the area of fluency. Whether it’s helping write effective goals for students or consulting on evaluations, Heather’s lived experience offers unique insight.

But her journey wasn’t always marked by confidence and expertise.

Finding Her Voice Through Self-Advocacy

Stuttering is much more than a disfluency—it can have both physical (difficulty producing smooth speech) and emotional (anxiety, social isolation, self-esteem issues) impacts. Heather’s own stuttering journey is rooted in family genetics—her father, uncles, and aunts also stuttered.

Reflecting on her childhood, Heather doesn’t sugarcoat it.

“It was hard. It was so hard. Yeah, it was hard. It was never not hard.”

Imagine not being able to say your own last name. Imagine being teased by classmates year after year. Despite receiving speech therapy from first through seventh grade, the stuttering—and the teasing—persisted.

But everything changed in high school.

In her sophomore year, Heather stood up for herself for the first time. She realized her voice had power. From that point forward, if she had to speak in public, she would preface it with honesty: “I stutter. You might laugh—but then we’ll move on.”

Over time, this act of self-advocacy became empowering. She grew more confident—and it showed.

Discovering Her Superpower

When she began studying speech-language pathology, Heather sometimes wondered if others would take her seriously.

That all changed when one of her communication professors reframed her mindset:

“Your stuttering is your superpower.”

That single moment shifted everything. It helped Heather recognize that her experience could help her clients—and give her a professional edge.

How Stuttering Makes Her a Better SLP

Today, Heather uses her “superpower” daily in her work with students who stutter. She approaches therapy with deep understanding—not just from a clinical perspective, but from lived experience.

She noticed that many fluency goals written by other SLPs didn’t address the root causes of a student’s stuttering. Instead, she emphasizes:

• Breath control and posture
  
• Slowing speech rate
  
• Understanding the speech mechanism
  
• Reducing anxiety through calming strategies
  

With younger students (PreK–3rd grade), Heather focuses on foundational skills—not just how to speak fluently, but why smooth speech matters. For older students, therapy shifts toward emotional resilience and individualized strategies.

Supporting Adults and Adapting Over Time

Heather’s expertise extends beyond children. She once ran a support group for adults who stuttered and found that many of the same principles apply: know your body, know your triggers, and adapt to different speaking situations.

She emphasizes there’s no magic fix:

“You have to adapt to how your body feels in the moment. There’s no quick solution.”

For her, diaphragmatic breathing and rehearsal were early tools. Over time, she learned to accept the stutter without fighting it—which ultimately helped reduce anxiety.

Thriving in Her Career—and Life

Today, Heather is thriving. She loves her work, and she’s proud of her decision to become a speech-language pathologist. When she’s not at school, she enjoys relaxing with her husband and children—living life with confidence, grace, and the wisdom that comes from a hard-won journey.

Her story reminds us all: What you once saw as a weakness might just become your greatest strength.

Inspired by Heather’s story?
Whether you’re an aspiring SLP, a person who stutters, or both—remember, your voice matters. And sometimes, your biggest challenge becomes your superpower.