Text Box: Aside from the title, this issue is not focusing on speech therapy systems but rather how neurotechnology is surfacing within mainstream media outlets. Although, you will see later that there was a recent feature of a new communication system. How do you find out about neurotechnology? Some common venues are searching the internet, reading publications or discussions with a physician or other health care professionals. These are ways to get additional details regarding devices but not necessarily the first encounter. A media outlet can be the first point of contact. The features in these outlets are ways to increase general awareness about neurotechnology devices and the applicable impairments to the devices. Stories go beyond the newspaper or magazine article, they spend time on the TV and in movies to tell the story. Speech Communication Jumping into the future of science an episode of 22nd Century shown on most PBS stations, featured a 23- year-old, Erik. Erik was in an accident at the age of 16 after which he sustained multiple injuries including a brain stem stroke. As a result, he became locked in. As described by Dr. Phillip Kennedy, people who are locked in can “see and hear but they can't express anything.  They can't move.  They can't speak and hence they're locked in.” Aside from his ability to overcome adversity, Erik’s story is extraordinary as he participates in a study to provide speech communication directed by Dr. Kennedy. As described by Erik's father, Eddie, “After going through all the conventional means of trying to get rehabilitation and find a cure for Erik's condition, we were referred to Dr. Kennedy by a member of a support group and also one of his special education teachers.” In this study, a tiny electrode is implanted to Erik’s brain where there is activity for his thoughts of various words. Connected wirelessly to a computer, Erik can think about a word and he can communicate it via the computer. His current word range is about 7 words. This is a leap from only being able to blink an eye for a response. Again, Eddie, "Erik has enjoyed the training sessions. It gives him a purpose in life and allows him to do something constructive and interesting. The implant has given Erik hope that someday he will be able to communicate, again." The drawback is the accuracy at only 50-70 percent. Despite the current drawbacks, Erik and Eddie look forward to a system that allows Erik to communicate without an interpreter so he can control his activities of daily living and, possibly, allow him to drive a thought driven wheelchair. This system is the brain child of Dr. Phillip Kennedy for his work over the past twenty years. Read an interview with Dr. Kennedy at http://www.pbs.org/22ndcentury/interviews_phillipkennedy.html Text Box: Educate: Neurotechnology in the Media

Educate: Neurotechnology in the Media

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Advocating for Access

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On the Horizon: Updates in the World of Neurotech

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Call for Experiences

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Media and Mediocrity

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Data on Neurological Disorders

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