Telethon 2026: Ability WA’s In-home Baby Intervention Service helps little Blake take huge strides

Two-year-old Blake Thomas is happiest at home. It is his castle, and he is the king — safe, secure and surrounded by his favourite people.

It is where his cheeky, joyful personality shines as he bounces on his play mat, points to his toys or claps his hands in delight when his step-brother Noah walks in the room.

It broke his mum’s heart that the outside world didn’t get to see this side to her beautiful little boy. In the first year of his life Blake would often withdraw and become highly dysregulated when out of his comfort zone, his little body racked with distressed, breath-holding cries when they left the house.

As his mother Jenna Moriarty, a paediatric community nurse, started to recognise signs of a genetic disorder in Blake which runs in her family she was faced with a devastating catch-22.

Blake needed therapy and support to address delayed milestones, low muscle tone, language regression and his emotional regulation. But doing so required leaving home, which was too much for her 10 month old, and the right support was hard to find.

“I was constantly calling doctors or medical professionals, constantly advocating for Blake, which is what you do as a parent,” Ms Moriarty recalled.

“I feel like we were just hitting road block after road block, I was being told it was too early to get him help, or he was in the too-hard basket. You want the best for your child, but it was hard to hear when professionals tell you no, or they can’t help.”

Ms Moriarty knew the only way to help Blake feel safe outside of his bubble, was to meet him inside it first.

This concept is at the heart of Ability WA’s In-Home Baby Intervention Service, which Ms Moriarty self referred to after going in search of a solution.

The Telethon-funded program provides essential early childhood Intervention to babies at risk of developmental delay or disability, and aims to prevent children from falling through the cracks.

Experienced therapists provide support in the comfort of the child’s home, which for Blake was a “game changer.”

“Blake was able to get the therapy that he so desperately needed, and it has made the world of difference,” his mum said.

“We are go grateful, Blake wouldn’t be the person he is today if they hadn’t accepted us. It’s not just the practical support they’ve given us, but having people who genuinely understand Blake, listen to what he needs and help us work out what supports will benefit him most.

“He will be your best friend if you take time to get to know and understand him.”