Self-regulation and the management of stuttering

Self-regulation refers to a process by which individuals learn to direct and control their own behavior, thoughts, and feelings to manage or eliminate their stuttering. As a concept, it has been a vital and enduring component of most approaches to managing persistent and chronic stuttering. The theoretical basis for self-regulation is briefly reviewed and the main principles of self-regulation--goal setting, cue management, self-monitoring, and self-evaluation--are described and illustrated with clinical examples. Factors related to self-regulatory failure are also discussed.