Meet Jarli...

-I'm a proud Aboriginal child

- I am fearless, determined and independant

- My favourite toy is 'Turt turt' my soft turtle

- I love cuddles, hide n seek and animals of every kind

- I have four older brothers that live with their Aunty and Uncle.

- I am 2 years old in November

My Story...

“I love my Turt Turt.”

Turt Turt is Jarli’s favourite toy turtle and a very special gift his grandma gave him when he was born.

Not long after Jarli was born, his mum died. Jarli was also very unwell and needed to stay close to the hospital, which meant his Aunty and uncle couldn’t look after him either.

So Jarli went to live with Shauna and Paul. Shauna is a nurse, and Paul is a local Indigenous ranger. Jarli will stay with them while he grows big and strong and can then go and live with his Aunty and Uncle.

Jarli visits his older brothers who live with his Aunty and Uncle as often as he can. He also loves spending time with Paul—watching Bluey, listening to stories, and learning about Country. And wherever Jarli goes, Turt Turt goes too.

Attachment • Early Loss • Medical Trauma • Development

Focus: disrupted attachment in infancy, separation, regression, and developmental vulnerability.

A note to readers...

For children like Jarli, life in Out of Home Care can feel deeply lonely—even when they are surrounded by adults.

Infants and very young children experience loss differently from older children. They may not have words or memories they can explain, but their bodies remember separation, illness, and change. Frequent transitions, medical trauma, and disrupted caregiving can leave a young child feeling unsafe and unseen within an ever-changing system.

For Jarli, stability is not just about where he lives—it is about who consistently meets his needs, comforts him, and responds when he signals distress. Safe, predictable caregiving is the foundation for Jarli’s emotional and developmental future.

How loss and disrupted attachment can feel

Children like Jarli may experience:

Separation anxiety and distress when caregivers leave
Persistent sadness, fear, or emotional withdrawal
Crying that feels difficult to soothe—or, at times, no crying at all
A sense that their needs may not be met
Early beliefs such as “I am not safe” or “I am not worthy of care”

These feelings live in the body long before they can be understood in the mind.

How this shows up in young children

Attachment disruption and medical trauma often appear as:

Extreme clinginess or difficulty separating from caregivers
Ongoing unsettled behaviour and challenges with soothing
Sleep difficulties and changes in eating patterns
Developmental regression, including toileting setbacks
Biting, hitting, or lashing out as a form of communication
Heightened sensitivity to change, noise, or unfamiliar environments

These behaviours are not “bad habits.”
They are survival responses.

What helps Jarli feel safe and grow

Young children like Jarli need care that is predictable, responsive, and emotionally warm.

Support looks like:

Strong, consistent routines that anticipate needs before distress escalates
Immediate, calm responses to cries and cues
Frequent reassurance through touch, cuddles, and comfort
Access to soft fabrics, familiar objects, and comfort items
The use of transitional objects, including a carer’s clothing or items linked to early attachment
Ongoing guidance around developmental needs and trauma-informed care

When infants experience safety repeatedly, attachment begins to form.
And with attachment comes regulation, development, and hope.