Telethon-funded home therapy helps young child with developmental needs

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 16 Oct, 08:02 · Archive

A Telethon-funded in-home baby intervention service is helping two-year-old Blake Thomas, who struggled with anxiety outside his home.

Two-year-old Blake Thomas struggled with severe anxiety outside his home, experiencing distressed breathing episodes and becoming highly dysregulated when his family left the house. His mother, Jenna Moriarty, recognised signs of a genetic disorder in her son that runs in her family. Blake needed therapy to address delayed milestones, low muscle tone, language regression and emotional regulation difficulties.

Ms Moriarty faced a difficult situation: Blake required professional support but was too anxious to access it outside the home. She described repeatedly contacting doctors and medical professionals but encountering obstacles, being told Blake was too young for intervention or that his case was too complex to help. "I feel like we were just hitting road block after road block," she recalled, saying professionals had told her no or that they could not help.

Ability WA's In-home Baby Intervention Service, funded by Telethon, changed this by delivering therapy at Blake's home, where he feels safe and comfortable. This allowed Blake to receive the support he needed without the anxiety of leaving his familiar environment. At home, Blake's personality shines: he bounces on his play mat, points to toys and claps his hands in delight when his step-brother Noah arrives.

How it is being reported

• Telethon 2026: Ability WA’s In-home Baby Intervention Service helps little Blake take huge stridesWhen the outside world felt too much for two-year-old Blake Thomas, the world went to him instead thanks to a Telethon-funded program delivering therapy at home for WA babies.Perth Now · 16 Oct, 07:32
• Telethon 2026: Ability WA’s In-home Baby Intervention Service helps little Blake take huge stridesWhen the outside world felt too much for two-year-old Blake Thomas, the world went to him instead thanks to a Telethon-funded program delivering therapy at home for WA babies.The West Australian · 16 Oct, 07:32

In this story: Blake Thomas · Jenna Moriarty · Ability WA · Telethon · Western Australia

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