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.”
When Blake started with IBIS at 16 months old he was able to sit but was not yet crawling or talking.
Over the next 10 months, in his own time and space, he made progress and developed a beautiful bond with his therapists, which included speech, physio and occupational therapists and a dietitian.
By November 2025 he was crawling and pulling into standing, by January this year he was cruising along furniture and by July he was able to take 10 steps, holding his mum’s hand.
Implementing strategies from their physio and occupational therapists, the family was also able to go on short, successful outings to the park, shops or cafe.
Everyday tasks which were once unimaginable.
“When you have a child with a disability, you really learn to appreciate the small wins,” Ms Moriarty said.
“Blake used to spend most of his day in distress, and now those moments are much less. We’ve had to slow down and appreciate the little things, like seeing him learn a new skill or engage with someone and feel comfortable around them. Things others might take for granted mean so much to us.”
During her home visits, speech pathologist Hannah Sheridan introduced augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) skills, such as digital language display boards and AUSLAN signing.
By the middle of this year Blake was signing to communicate “more,” “finish,” and “eat”.
At the same time, dietitian Anna Addison put a nutrition plan in place to support Blake’s restricted range of foods.
As his skills and confidence have developed, Blake’s circle of security has widened to take in his local playground, where he happily plays in the sandpit and on the swings.
Prior to starting his therapy Blake was diagnosed with Neurofibromatosistype 1 (NF1), a genetic condition characterised by changes in skin pigmentation and the growth of benign tumours on nerve tissue.
Ms Moriarty, her father and brother all lived with NF1 and benefited from early intervention.
The condition is also linked to developmental delay and autism and with the help of IBIS, Blake has an NDIS plan in place and is on a wait list for an autism assessment.
“IBIS have provided Blake with so many opportunities to help him thrive. From giving us trials of an AAC (communication) device, to specialised shoes, teaching us AUSLAN signs and to his ongoing therapies, they have been so beneficial to Blake and us as a family,” Ms Moriarty said.
“This journey can be overwhelming at times, and having IBIS there to guide us and remind us that we’re not doing it alone has meant so much.”
Ms Moriarty said it was bittersweet to soon be saying goodbye to his IBIS therapists, who will be supporting his transition onto the NDIS now that he is two.
“They’ve become like family, so it’s sad, but we are so grateful for them. They wrote an extensive report to help Blake with the NDIS so we can hopefully set him up with his new dream team,” Ms Moriarty said.
As they wrapped up their time with IBIS, the therapists and the family settled on one final goal before Blake’s next chapter: walking his mum down the aisle in February when she marries his dad, Brodie.
“We would love for him to hold the rings with Noah, or take a few steps down the aisle with me, but we will let him go at his own pace,” Ms Moriarty said.
“He’s come such a long way. Blake is a beautiful boy with so much love to give in his own way. He lights up our life, he has taught us so much and made us better parents.”