Model Me Going Places

Model Me Going Places

app

4+, 2010, Education

WISE
68%

WISE Score

4.0

App Store

A no-frills photo-slideshow app that teaches kids with autism how to handle haircuts, grocery stores, and other everyday outings without meltdowns.

Where to Find

App Store
App Store
Google Play
Google Play
Screenwise Verdict

Model Me Going Places is a solid, purpose-built tool for a specific audience—kids who need visual modeling to learn social behavior in community settings. It's not fun, it's not flashy, and it won't entertain a neurotypical 6-year-old for more than 30 seconds. But for families navigating autism, sensory processing challenges, or developmental delays, it's a genuinely useful free resource that can reduce real-world anxiety around haircuts, doctor visits, and grocery runs.

The app is ad-free, safe, and does exactly what it promises with no gimmicks. The dated 2017 interface and limited cultural representation are drawbacks, but the core concept—photo slideshows with narration—remains effective. Parents rave about it in App Store reviews, citing tangible progress.

If your child needs this kind of support, download it and use it as part of a broader social-skills plan. If they don't, skip it entirely—there's nothing here for general audiences.

Age Fit

Best for ages 4–10 who benefit from concrete visual routines, especially kids on the autism spectrum or with developmental delays. Neurotypical kids or older tweens will find it boring and irrelevant.

WISE Breakdown
Wholesome
88

Photo slideshows model calm, appropriate social behavior in everyday settings (hairdresser, grocery store, doctor, playground). Gentle narration and realistic images of children demonstrating patience, cooperation, and emotional regulation. No chaotic pacing—parents control the speed. Designed to reduce anxiety around community outings, which is inherently supportive and kind.

Imaginative
32

This is a straightforward social-skills tutorial with static photos and narration. No creative play, no building blocks, no open-ended exploration. It's a direct instructional tool—valuable for its purpose, but offers zero imaginative spark or curiosity-driven learning. Kids watch, absorb routines, and replicate; there's no room for invention or experimentation within the app itself.

Safe
95

Ad-free, no in-app purchases, no social features, no data sold to third parties per developer statement. Content is entirely benign—photos of children in everyday community settings with calm narration. No surprise content, no triggers, no manipulation. The app does exactly what it says with no hidden concerns. Last update in 2017 means outdated UI but also means no new monetization creep.

Enriching
78

Solid skill-building for children who need visual modeling to learn social routines—especially those with autism, Asperger's, or developmental delays. Reinforces cause-and-effect, emotion-labeling, and real-world preparedness. Parent reviews confirm it helps kids overcome specific fears (haircuts, doctor visits). Not entertaining in a traditional sense, but meaningfully supports independence and reduces anxiety around community participation. Practical life skills matter.

Parent Info
✓

Why It Might Be Great

  • Video modeling works—parents report kids overcoming real fears (haircuts, doctor visits) after repeated viewing
  • Completely ad-free, no in-app purchases, no data harvesting; just a straightforward teaching tool
  • Covers six common anxiety triggers: hairdresser, mall, doctor, playground, grocery store, restaurant
  • Parent-controlled pacing lets you pause, rewind, or loop scenes as needed
  • Free and accessible for families who need social-skills support without a subscription
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What to Watch For

  • Extremely niche—if your child doesn't need visual social-skills modeling, this app has zero entertainment or educational value
  • Photos feature mostly white children; limited cultural representation may not reflect your community
  • Last updated in 2017, so the interface feels clunky and dated compared to modern apps
  • No progress tracking or built-in reinforcement—you'll need to pair this with real-world practice and your own checklist

Conversation Starters

  • ""Which place do you think looks easiest to visit? Which one seems hardest?""
  • ""What do the kids in the photos do when they feel nervous or frustrated?""
  • ""Let's practice what we saw in the grocery store slideshow next time we go shopping together.""

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