Savvy Mom Feature Friday: Naeema Burgess

I am happy to introduce our Feature Friday Savvy Mom Ms. Naeema Burgess. She is a phenomenal woman who does great work with children with special needs as a School Psychologist. Here is her story. Hope you enjoy reading about it!

Naeema and her 10 month son.

1) Tell us about yourself?

I Am Naeema Burgess, master level School Psychologist. I will obtain my Doctor of Psychology degree next month. I have a health and wellness business where I help educate people on toxins in products and teach people how to build a legacy for themselves and their children. I do a lot of work with parents that have children with behaviors such as Autism. I am not married, however in a relationship with my longtime partner. We recently became parents to our 10 month old son.

2) What does it mean when a child is diagnosed as special needs?

Special needs is any child that is developmentally delayed when compared to same age peers. Any child that has AD/HD, has a speech delay, oppositional defiance, vision impaired, sensory stimulation impaired, emotionally disturbed, cognitive delays, intellectual delay, mentally challenged, schizophrenic, bipolar, stuttering, poor impulse control, etc.

3) What made you become interested in learning more about children with special needs?

In 2007 I was all the way in Arizona. I moved out there to start a new life and begin a doctorate program. Little did I know there was not much diversity in the town I lived in. I became depressed, a place that I had never been my entire life. So I began daily sending my resume to places on the East Coast. I was desperate. I did this for weeks. One Sunday God told me that if I start packing he would make a way. I went to Uhaul and got boxes. That day I packed until I could no longer pack. I packed a total of 16 boxes. Then I went to bed. When I awoke Monday morning I had an email from an agency in NYC seeking my support. Long story short, they hired me to work with special needs children and I fell in love.

4) What are some things you believe parents get misconstrued about children with special needs?

Parents of children with special needs feel that they have to protect their children. They feel like they are to blame and allow these children to get away with a lot. This causes the children more harm when parents do not place limits on children. Something that I need for parents to know is special needs children can manipulate even better than typically developing children and limits should too be placed on them.

5) What support systems, resources, and tools that is available to parents who have children with special needs?

Google is the absolute best resource for parents of children with special needs. You just play with the keywords typing in words that for your need. For instance, type in help for parents for children with Autism in Alabama and you would get various websites with info in the area. All one would need to do is go to Google and change words around and see what comes up!

6) What specific product, educational toys or tools you have found helpful for parents to use at home to help children with special needs?

With special needs [children]... I take it back to the ol' school. Teach children how we learned. I say stay away from electronics. They are not conducive to a well-rounded typically developing child in any way shape or form. Case and effect toys are helpful. Use word cards and picture cards. Use a timer to expand attention. Use a visual schedule to help a child stay on track and to structure their day. Label household items. Allow them to play with pots and pans for music. Allow them to play with different items that have a texture to it. For example, fill a container with rice and hide little toys in it so that they can find the toys. It's a game, but it enhances sensory acceptance and is soothing as well as therapeutic.

7) What savvy advice would you give to parents that can be helpful when raising a child with special needs?

When raising a child with special needs realize that there are just that, a child (a person with an identity that has a preference for certain things and can function), and they have special needs. Just because they have special needs does not mean they will not be in a world where they will not be expected to do such things as paying bills or become independent. Try to get your child to be as independent of you and others as possible (I beg of you!!)!

8) What advice would you give family or friends of parents who have a special needs child to help or assist that parent?

Families have to accept a diagnosis. A lot of families are in denial or want to coddle their child. This means that there are deeper emotional restraints that need to be addressed. I believe parents and families should seek therapy for themselves in this event to work through their challenges and to be better able to cope.