This paper investigates whether the sensory development of children living in welfare institutions, and therefore in an unfamiliar environment, processing and consequently have a different sensory profile of children who show that they operate in an environment family. Were selected for 51 children belonging to portuguese child protection centers, and 87 who lived with their families, all in the vicinity of the 4 years of age. Therefore, the total sample was composed of 138 individuals. Given the young age of the children did not respond to the questionnaires themselves, but were concerned adults who facilitated this information, educators in the case of smaller centers, and parents in the other case. Moreover, in all cases also responded to questionnaires educators in schools that were studied. Instrument was used as the ‘Sensory Processing Measure’ Parham, Ecker, Kuhaneck, Henry an...