By Olivia McDonald

New CanAssist Devices In Prince George

Nov 22, 2018 | 1:16 PM

PRINCE GEORGE – The Child Development Centre in Prince George has been having some fun testing out a few new games and toys as they’ve been the beneficiaries of new technology from CanAssist.

The Universtiy of Victoria, BC Association for Childhood Development and Invention, CDC staff and CanAssist had a say in selecting these technologies that would allow children with special needs to get involved in more activities. 

Occupational Therapist at CDC, Pat Hamilton believes these gadgets are a great way to practice for obstacles the children may face in the future. 

“Each toy has a bit of a different access but all of the ones with the single switches or the touching of the switch helps to teach them cause and effect or that if they hit that switch they’re going to be making a difference in their environment. And as a learning tool, that helps them to learn that in the future if they want to be able to turn on their lights, maybe make some popcorn, that kind of stuff, that they have to hit that switch and it will be able to do it.” 

The new toys include a ball launcher as well as remote-control cars, a music therapy kit, an app for phones and Ipads, and a spinning roulette wheel that helps those who have difficulty communicating verbally take part in games like “Simon Says”. 

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“It just means that she can play like any regular kid,” says mother Anita Allen. “So she’s able to use toys that are similar to toys that her classmates or her brother uses and for a little bit, be a normal kid.” 

The CanAssist project is funded by a 1.5 million dollar contribution from the Ministry of Children and Family Development and the idea is to eventually introduce the toys to the entire community. So one day schools and students get the chance to try them out, whether they are able-bodied or not.

The Prince George Child Development Centre is hoping to get its hands on the final two gadgets by March 2019.