What might an SLP expect from a patient who utilizes strategies to manage anticipated disfluencies in conversation?

When a patient utilizes strategies to manage anticipated disfluencies in conversation, the ability to conceal expected disfluencies is a likely outcome. Such strategies may include using specific techniques to navigate or modify their speech when they anticipate a stuttering moment, which can help them maintain communication more effectively. This proactive approach often leads to a smoother conversational experience, as the individual uses their coping mechanisms to mitigate the impact of potential stuttering instances.

By successfully concealing these anticipated disfluencies, the patient not only feels more in control but may also appear more fluent in their speech, even if they do experience moments of stuttering. Supporting such strategies reinforces the idea that individuals can actively engage in managing their communication challenges, rather than being passively affected by them. This proactive stance is crucial in therapy, where self-awareness and the ability to employ various strategies can significantly enhance a person's confidence and conversational fluency.