Susan H. Lederer

Susan H. Lederer is a Professor in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders at Adelphi University's Ruth S. Ammon College of Education and Health Sciences. She has been a faculty member at Adelphi since 1997, progressing from Assistant to Associate to Full Professor. Her office is located in the Hy Weinberg Center, and she can be reached at lederer@adelphi.edu or 516.877.4781.

Dr. Lederer earned her academic degrees from New York University:

• Ph.D., New York University (1996)
• M.A., New York University (1981)
• B.S., New York University (1979)

Dr. Lederer's research focuses on speech and language disorders in young children, with particular emphasis on emergent literacy, pretend play, and the integration of yoga and mindfulness practices for children. Her work explores evidence-based models of assessment and intervention for young children with speech and language disorders, early lexical acquisition, and innovative approaches to language development. She has developed 'StoryBook Yoga,' an integrated literacy, movement, and music program designed to nurture physical, cognitive, linguistic, social, and emotional development in children through evidence-based shared book reading experiences. Her research demonstrates consistent innovation in connecting mindfulness practices with language intervention, showing how breathing techniques and yoga can support executive function and self-regulation in children with communication challenges.

Dr. Lederer has received numerous honors and recognitions for her work:

• Alumnus of Distinction by New York University (2003)
• Nominated Advisor of the Year by Adelphi Student Government (Spring 2003)
• Nominated Professor of the Year by Adelphi Student Government (Spring 2001)
• Mom's Choice Awards for her children's books 'I CAN SAY THAT' (2007), 'I CAN DO THAT' (2009), and 'I CAN PLAY THAT' (2010)

As an advisor, Dr. Lederer has chaired numerous master's theses and undergraduate honors theses, focusing on topics related to language development, yoga interventions, and literacy acquisition. She has secured multiple Adelphi faculty development grants, including the Preschool Healthy Hearing Program (2023 with Y. Serpanos) and an Adelphi instructional technology grant. Her mentorship has produced award-winning research, particularly in the areas of yoga interventions for children with special needs and shared book reading techniques for language development.

At the Hy Weinberg Center for Communication Disorders, Dr. Lederer created TOTalk, KIDTalk, and PRE-Read language and literacy enrichment groups for two- to five-year-old children with and without language impairments. These programs have served well over 1,000 children and 1,000 student interns, and have inspired additional social-communication groups for children and adolescents as signature programs for the center.