Lauren Riggs M.S., CCC-SLP
Owner
Riggs Pediatric Therapy was established by Lauren Riggs M.S., CCC-SLP, Speech-Language Pathologist. Lauren has 22 years of experience working with children. She is certified by the American Speech and Hearing Association (ASHA) and holds a license as a Speech-Language Pathologist by the state of Texas. She is also a member of the Texas Speech and Hearing Association (TSHA). In addition, she holds special education and general education teaching certificates.Lauren graduated Magna Cum Laude from Texas Woman’s University earning her Bachelor’s of Science degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders. She earned her Master’s of Science in Communication Disorders from Western Kentucky University where she was a member of the International Honor Society and the Medallion Honor Society.
Emily Niebel M.S., CCC-SLP
Clinical Director
Emily earned her Bachelor of Science from Oklahoma State University in 2017. She decided to stay in Stillwater, OK for two more years to earn her Master of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders in 2019. Emily grew up in Houston and is so glad to be back in the area working with kiddos and be so close to her family and friends! She knew from an early age that her passion was working with children. It was in her senior year of high school that she learned more about the wonderful world of speech therapy and decided that was her dream career. Some of her specific interests within the field include articulation, fluency, expressive language disorders, and early intervention. In her free time, Emily enjoys spoiling her dog, spending time with family, and taking trips.
Haley Helmer M.S., CCC-SLP
Speech-Language Pathologist
Haley earned her Bachelor of Science in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences from Texas Tech University Health Science Center in 2003. She went on to earn her Master of Arts in Communication Sciences and Disorders from the University of Houston in 2005. She is certified by the American Speech and Hearing Association (ASHA) and holds a license as a Speech-Language Pathologist by the state of Texas. Haley has served as a Speech-Language Pathologist in the hospital setting, schools, home health setting, and now on a virtual basis providing services to children of all ages. Some of her specific interests within the field include articulation, fluency, expressive language disorders, and early intervention. While Haley is not working, she enjoys homeschooling her three children, reading, decorating, and gathering with friends and family.
Amber Ramthun M.S., CCC-SLP
Speech-Language Pathologist
Amber earned her Bachelor of Arts in Communication Sciences and Disorders from the University of Northern Iowa in 2017. Following she stayed to complete her Master of Arts degree in Speech Language Pathology in 2019. She grew up in a small town in Iowa. Amber has always had a passion for working with children and knew early on that she wanted to work in pediatrics. Through the caregiving of children in her hometown, she learned more about speech therapy as well as disorders and diagnosis. It was then she decided that was her dream career to be able to help others especially children.
Amber moved to Texas in January of 2019, where she worked in College Station for four and a half years. Some of her specific interests within the field include apraxia, articulation, fluency, and expressive language disorders. She was recently trained on the SOS Approach to Feeding. In her free time, she enjoys walks with her Great Dane, spending time with friends and family, trying new foods and traveling.
Sophia Merdian M.S., SLP-CF
Speech-Language Pathologist
Sophia earned her Bachelor of Arts in 2022 and Master of Science in Communication Sciences in Disorders in 2023 from Baylor University. She is excited to be back in her hometown to serve the families in the Houston area. Sophia is passionate and committed to improving the communication needs of children through theme-based and individualized treatment. Some of her specific interests within the field are augmentative and alternative communication, autism spectrum disorder (ASD), early intervention, and social communication disorders. Outside of work, Sophia enjoys spending time with family and friends, reading, and serving her community.
Amanda Torres M.S., SLP-CF
Speech-Language Pathologist
Amanda received her bachelor’s degree in Speech and Hearing Science from Lamar University in 2021. She stayed at Lamar for two more years to earn her Masters of Science in Speech-Language Pathology in 2023. Amanda is from Lumberton, Texas and is so excited to be a part of Montgomery County! Amanda is bilingual and has a passion for working with children of all ages to improve their speech and language skills. Some of her favorite things about the field are collaborating with families and fellow professionals and having the opportunity to work with children. Her specific interests within the field include expressive language disorders, articulation disorders and bilingualism. Amanda loves to travel, relax, and spend time with her loved ones outside of work. .
Misti Christian B.S.
Assistant Speech-Language Pathologist
Misti earned her Bachelor of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Baylor University in 2006. She has worked as an Assistant Speech-Language Pathologist for school districts, home health, and private clinic settings. Some of her specific interests in the field include play-based therapy for preschoolers and techniques that facilitate language growth for clients who are neuro-diverse or on the autism spectrum. In her free time, Misti enjoys spending time with family and friends, running, and learning how to best serve neuro-diverse clients.
Yasmeen Herman B.S.
Assistant Speech-Language Pathologist
Yasmeen received her Bachelor of Arts in Bilingual Health Care Studies from Sam Houston State University in May of 2018. She earned her Speech Language Pathologist- Assistant certification from the University of Vermont in June 2021. Yasmeen has always had a passion for working with children and knew early on that she wanted to work in pediatrics. She speaks Spanish fluently, and loves being able to help bilingual parents and children find the easiest and best way to communicate. Some of her specific areas of interests are expressive language disorders, phonological disorders, and bilingualism. On her free time, Yasmeen enjoys reading books, loving on her adorable labradoodle, and hiking/walking as many trails as possible.