Abstract

The ability to control our response to the internal and external changes is defined as «self-regulation». It is of a paramount skill for the entire life course and it takes more than two decades to complete it. The aims of the present review are to highlight how the self-regulation emerges, to define which sub-domains are involved and to observe their development across different phases. A special focus is placed on cognitive mechanisms linked to self-regulation. In addition, the role of regulatory disorders of sensory processing as early manifestation of autism spectrum disorders and attention deficit with hyperactivity disorder is discussed.