Jemima has a physical disability which has been present since birth. Many children with physical disabilities have severe speech, language, and communication difficulties. This means that they may need alternative and augmentative methods of communication to enable them to communicate effectively. Jemima has good receptive language abilities but very significant expressive communication difficulties.

“Having relatively normal receptive communication but very compromised expressive can lead people to underestimate Jemima. The strive for independence is hampered by the need to explain everything. There is inevitable frustration attached as Jemima has the thoughts, wishes and ideas but has such difficulty making them coherent and understood”.

Jemima’s Mum, Rosie