Longitudinal observations of youngsters suffering from a variety of congenital and perinatal sensory deficits indicate a systematic relation between deprivation in particular modes and in cognitive and affective development. The data presented indicate that the capacity to experience and express affect, as well as to form affective ties, is strongly associated with visual experience. The effects of even extended periods of sensory deprivation in other modalities appear to be reversible if the visual system is intact. On the other hand, the effects of distorting experiences persist even when they are limited to very early infancy and childhood.