About HANDLE
About Shifra K. Leiser, M.A., OTR/L
Testimonials
HANDLE of the Northeast provides neurodevelopmental and occupational therapy services in accordance with the HANDLE approach (Holistic Approach to NeuroDevelopmental and Learning Efficiency; for a brief overview, please view this PDF). Originated by Judith Bluestone (www.handle.org) during her more than thirty years’ work with neurobehavioral differences, the HANDLE program is developmental in nature. It treats problems at their roots rather than simply providing short-term solutions or compensatory techniques. A mainstay of the program is that it views behaviors as forms of communication rather than as symptoms to be masked or controlled.
Ms. Bluestone, herself a survivor of multiple childhood handicaps and brain injury, developed the techniques over more than three decades of work, first as she struggled to overcome her own difficulties, and for many years after as an award-winning therapist, teacher, trainer, and lecturer.
A 2004 recipient of the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Award for Public Service, Bluestone has helped hundreds of people suffering from such debilitating conditions as autism, ADHD, Tourette’s Syndrome, OCD, and traumatic brain injury. She has also trained numerous practitioners in the HANDLE Method, which is offered not only in the United States, but also in Europe, Australia, and South Africa. To learn more about the HANDLE program, visit HANDLE.org.
About Shifra K. Leiser, M.A., OTR/L
Testimonials
HANDLE of the Northeast provides neurodevelopmental and occupational therapy services in accordance with the HANDLE approach (Holistic Approach to NeuroDevelopmental and Learning Efficiency; for a brief overview, please view this PDF). Originated by Judith Bluestone (www.handle.org) during her more than thirty years’ work with neurobehavioral differences, the HANDLE program is developmental in nature. It treats problems at their roots rather than simply providing short-term solutions or compensatory techniques. A mainstay of the program is that it views behaviors as forms of communication rather than as symptoms to be masked or controlled.
Ms. Bluestone, herself a survivor of multiple childhood handicaps and brain injury, developed the techniques over more than three decades of work, first as she struggled to overcome her own difficulties, and for many years after as an award-winning therapist, teacher, trainer, and lecturer.
A 2004 recipient of the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Award for Public Service, Bluestone has helped hundreds of people suffering from such debilitating conditions as autism, ADHD, Tourette’s Syndrome, OCD, and traumatic brain injury. She has also trained numerous practitioners in the HANDLE Method, which is offered not only in the United States, but also in Europe, Australia, and South Africa. To learn more about the HANDLE program, visit HANDLE.org.
About Shifra K. Leiser, M.A., OTR/LShifra K. Leiser has been a licensed Occupational Therapist since 1996, working with multiply-handicapped and autistic populations. Her qualifications include a BA in psychology and an MA in Occupational Therapy from NYU. She is, a registered, licensed Occupational Therapist (OTR/L), as well as Sensory Integration and Praxis Test (SIPT)-certified. Shifra is also a Licensed HANDLE practitioner receiving her training and licensing directly from Judith Bluestone.
For more information about our practice or to schedule a consultation, please feel free to contact us.
Testimonials
- "Shifra was very knowledgeable; she provided practical methods to apply to neurological therapy."
- "[Shifra] is great at engaging the audience and breaking up movement and listening activities."
- "Excellent presentation, very informative, great handouts."
- "Practical application of ideas; well presented, clear, and interesting."
-- Comments from participants in Shifra's Baltimore HANDLE© workshops with Care Resources.
"HANDLE gave me a sensory diet that really helped. I noticed immediate and long-term changes from it. The program was manageable and helped me understand how to help my daughter. HANDLE helped me understand how to get closer to my daughter during productive sensory play. My daughter loves the exercises, which made program implementation manageable."
-- Erica G., Parent of Client
"Jamie's reading speed has improved drastically. She is able to read for much longer periods without her eyes fatiguing, and comprehends increasingly complex ideas. She can also break down and figure out mathematics word problems--even those with two or more functions."
-- Marion, Parent of Client
"Ms. Leiser has provided in-depth evaluations in a timely manner and her recommendations are school focused, comprehensive, and easily understood. She is sensitive to the needs of the students she works with and her sensory background has enabled her to target areas that are impacting a student’s ability to perform in a classroom that others have missed. It is my pleasure to recommend Ms. Leiser to any district in need of occupational therapy services."
-- Director of Services in a Bergen County, NJ school district
Shifra Leiser and Handle of the Northeast has not only met but exceeded my expectations. Within the first month of therapy my daughter who has multiple sensory and motor issues was showing vast improvements in all areas. Friends and relatives were overcome with shock and joy as they noticed the improvement in my daughter’s behavior. My daughter immediately warmed up to Shifra and is always excited for the new games and toys she has to look forward to each week. I watched my child’s fear and trepidation with her motor and sensory issues disappear as Shifra targeted ways to improve her skills. Shifra always amazingly finding the perfect way to address each issue while promoting your child’s self esteem and building their ultimate trust.
While my daughter continues to improve, my family and I cannot thank Shifra enough for her time and patience. Shifra not only possesses a skill but a gift as well, a gift that gives tremendously to those with the opportunity to know and work with her.
Fax: 973-365-1066