Clinical Specialty

• Neuro-Development
• Pediatrics
• Certified in Sensory Integration, including the administration and interpretation of the Sensory Integration and Praxis Test (SIPT)
• Certified in the HANDLE^® Approach as Practitioner and Instructor

Education

• BA, Psychology, Yeshiva University Stern College for Women
• MA, Occupational Therapy, New York University
• OTD, Occupational Therapy, Misericordia University

Areas of Expertise

 Neuro-Development and pediatrics

 

Honors and Awards

• SHS Dept of Occupational Therapy Excellence in Teaching 2017
• Inspiring Faculty 2018 Touro College
• Dean’s Research Award 2018

Research

Agendas:

 

• Modalities and Interventions related to Neurodevelopment, Neuroplasticity and the HANDLE Approach

 

Recent Publications

• Leiser, S.K., Bensinger-Brody, Y., Soufian, L., Speiser, S., Levin, S. Sultan, S.  The Effect of Isolated Attention Training on Motor and Cognitive Performance in an 11-Year-Old Girl with a Known Learning Disability. (In Submission). American Occupational Therapy Association Meeting.
• Molinsky, R., Gupta, J., Hunter-Bennett, C., Breland, H. Hanebrink, S., Connor, E., Castillo D., Leiser, S., Alexander, T. Closing the Gap: The Role of OT in Providing Healthcare in the Context of Diversity. American Occupational Therapy Association Meeting, April 2019, New Orleans, LA. 
• Bensinger-Brody, Y., Leiser, S.K., Precin, P.J., Borenstein, Y., Halpern, S., Isola, F., Silberstein, D., Weinstein, S., Youssef, F. The Effect of Isolated Attention Training on Motor and Cognitive Performance. American Physical Therapy Association Combined Sections Meeting, January 2019, Washington, D.C.
• Chiariello, E. & Leiser, S. A Path to Cultural Responsiveness:  Orthodox Jewish Female Students in a Non-Traditional FWI Site. New York State Occupational Therapy Association Meeting, November 2018, Palisades, NY. 
• McLaughlin, E. Charney, L., Evans, D. & Leiser, S. Facilitating Leadership and Advancement through the Post-professional OTD Capstone Experience.  American Occupational Therapy Association Meeting, March 2017, Philadelphia, Pa. 
• Leiser, S. Is All Stress Bad?  Using Gentle Enhancement to Empower and Address Stress in Children with ASDs and Their Families. American Occupational Therapy Association Meeting, April 2016, Chicago, IL.

Professional Service

• Invited presenter for parent support groups for families of children with special needs: National Autism Association NY Metro Chapter, TACA
• Invited presenter for Continuing Education credits on the HANDLE® Approach
• AOTA Multi-Cultural Diversity and Inclusion Network (MDI): Orthodox Jewish Occupational Therapy Chavrusa (OJOTC)
• AOTA continuing education course consultant
• HANDLE Institute Board of Directors:  Research and Development Circle

Teaching Responsibilities

• HS390:  Neuroscience
• OT480:  Professional Journeys
• OT470:  Pediatrics Treatment Lab
• OT660:  Advanced Clinical Neurology
• OT695/696:  Research Mentor
• OTHN333: Brain, Behavior, and Occupation