The Haven online school

A young girl looks out of a window. On the right, text reads: Title - “Supporting an autistic young person who is struggling with their mental health.” Below - “Believe them,” “Reduce demands,” “Create predictability and safety,” “Look beyond behaviour,” “Validate their feelings,” “Support identity and self-understanding,” “Seek autism-informed support,” “Be mindful of masking,” and “Communicate in ways that work for them.” Below is a logo and name “autistic girls network.”

We know that many parents and carers are already doing these things every single day to support their autistic young person’s mental health. Pass this to those who are part of your child’s world. Greater understanding creates safer, more supportive spaces for our young people to thrive. #CMHW

'She's coping.' Children's Mental Health Week.

'She's fine at school.' Children's Mental Health Week.

She’s actually exhausted, anxious, and masking every day .Children's Mental Health Week.

Many autistic girls struggle on the inside. We've created a space where they don’t have to mask to belong.

Autistic girls are often misunderstood. They can experience exhaustion, anxiety, & overwhelm while appearing “fine” to the world around them. Effective children’s mental health support must be autism-informed & recognise masking, to prevent them falling through the gaps. #CMHW

4 out of 5 autistic young people experience mental health issues.

We’re joining @place2becharity.bsky.social  in calling for mental health support that is proactive, inclusive, & responsive to every child’s needs. Awareness, early intervention, and emotionally safe spaces matter so much and these are just some of the reasons we created The Haven. #CMHW

The theme of Children's Mental Health Week this year is ‘This is My Place’ encouraging self-acceptance and belonging. Children’s Mental Health Week

We know all too well the mental health challenges that autistic young people can face. Children’s Mental Health Week.

Wellbeing is, and will always be, the absolute priority for our learners. Children’s Mental Health Week.

This is your place, here you are accepted, valued, celebrated and you belong.

This theme is a powerful reminder of the importance of self-acceptance and belonging. At The Haven, the message is clear: This is your place. Here, you are accepted, valued, celebrated, and you belong. #ChildrensMentalHealthWeek

"She is really enjoying her lessons and being part of The Haven community."

This week is a reminder that feeling safe, supported & connected makes all the difference. Community is at the heart of everything we do, creating a space where young people feel they truly belong. We’re so proud to hear feedback like this from families who are part of The Haven community. #CMHW

Injustice Sensitivity, Rumination and Maintaining Wellbeing. When you can't just let things go. New resource.

Why do experiences of unfairness stay stuck in our minds, & how can we protect our wellbeing while still honouring our values? This resource dives into how injustice sensitivity can be both a strength & a challenge for autistic people. https://bit.ly/autinjustice

Discover a New Way of Learning for Neurodivergent Young People 12 February | 4pm GMT | Online.

Education can be different. We are a nonprofit online school built for neurodivergent learners who need something radically different. We KNOW our cohort, & we understand the importance emotional wellbeing & co-regulation is to our learners. Find out more - https://bit.ly/havenintro

“Requiring a child to prove that a less accessible, less motivating system is inadequate before offering something more aligned with how communication happens in the modern world is a barrier - not a safeguard.” Libby Hill

At The Haven, we value all forms of communication. We meet neurodivergent young people where they are, support them to be confidently themselves, and encourage the use of technology alongside opportunities to explore different interests and options.
@libbyhill1.bsky.social

Choosing the right school isn’t just about subjects and outcomes. It’s about how your child feels every day. We know families need clarity and reassurance, not guesswork.

We design each day with emotional wellbeing at its heart , balancing learning, structure and flexibility so neurodivergent young people can engage without overwhelm. Learn more at https://bit.ly/HavenDay

It is crucial to remember that these barriers to attendance arise from distress, not defiance; the avoidance of school can be a direct result of nervous system dysregulation and the activation of the body’s acute stress response. Rethinking Attendance: Why School Can Be More Challenging For Autistic Girls. New blog post.

School isn’t just “hard” for some autistic girls, it can be overwhelming in ways many people don’t see or understand. This thoughtful post explores why attendance struggles often stem from stress, sensory overwhelm and neurobiological responses, not behaviour issues. https://bit.ly/AGNrabp

Promotional graphic for a “Supporting Autistic Girls” event. At the top is the Autism Learns logo with the text “Online learning for parents, carers and professionals.” The headline reads “We’re speaking! Hear from members of our team.” Two circular headshots are shown: Kirsten, Head, and Tammy, SENDCO. Event details read “Supporting Autistic Girls, 30–31 January 2026.” The Haven logo appears at the bottom on a neutral background.

2 members of our team will share their expertise at this event. Kirsten will be talking about school life, wellbeing & how we can create inclusive classrooms for autistic girls. Tammy will be discussing friendships, social dynamics & the ‘invisible’ social load. https://bit.ly/ALHtickets

A pastel-toned graphic featuring two illustrated boarding passes styled like NASA Artemis II tickets, with the name “The Haven Autistic Girls Network” shown on one pass. The text “Fly us to the moon!” appears at the top, and The Haven logo is displayed at the bottom. The boarding passes are layered diagonally, suggesting a space journey theme linked to a mission to the moon.

Science class, but make it interstellar. This week our learners have been following NASA’s upcoming mission & even sent their names to the moon! They’ve received virtual boarding passes & mission updates, with a few pets & family members sneaking onboard too 😉 Curious, joyful, real-world learning.

If you could go back to your childhood, what would you say to your teachers? “Behind my eyes I am in total panic. I am clever but I can't carry on because nothing about the way school is makes any sense at all. Don't overlook me because I appear 'fine'. Behind my mask I am drowning.” Rachael

Many autistic young people mask anxiety, confusion & overwhelm at school, often at great personal cost. Calm can hide panic, exhaustion & feeling misunderstood. Listening matters. At The Haven, we create spaces where learners don’t have to mask & being understood comes first.

Brilliant - my child says 'all of the stars, amazing, lovely' and I say thank you so much!

Words like these from a learner and parent mean everything to us. They reflect the trust, warmth and sense of belonging we work so hard to build every day. We’re so grateful to the families who have put their trust in us and remind us all just how powerful it is to feel seen, heard and valued.

Outward success doesn’t always reflect internal wellbeing.

Learning should never come at the cost of mental health, that’s why we prioritise emotional safety, regulation, and connection.

Meet us! at the Contact & NNPCF Conference. 3rd February, Sheffield.

We are exhibiting at the Contact and National Network of Parent Carer Forums conference. Find out more about the event via @contactfamilies.bsky.social  

Come along and have a chat with us!

A smiling woman with long, light blonde hair stands outdoors in front of an ornate stone building, with trees and a blue sky behind her, wearing a dark top and a delicate necklace.

We're delighted to welcome Kirsten Roy as our new Head. Kirsten is an experienced education leader & SENCo who has built & led DfE-accredited online school provision. She's deeply committed to digital education that is safe, accessible, & genuinely engaging for learners who’ve been failed elsewhere.

If you could go back to your childhood, what would you say to your teachers? “Check on the quiet girls, the clever girls, the ones who are quietly getting on with their work. The ones who put on the happiest of faces. Ask them if they are really ok? “ Rachel.

In education, many neurodivergent children are missed, not because they struggle loudly, but because they cope quietly. Outward success doesn’t always reflect internal wellbeing. This is why noticing, listening, & asking matters, especially for the children who don’t ask to be seen.

Illustrated New Year graphic with a soft pink and mauve striped background. An open envelope reveals a card that reads “Happy New Year” and “Here’s to 2026, curious minds, bright futures.” The overall style is warm, gentle, and celebratory.

Thank you to our learners, families and team for making The Haven such a special place to learn. Here’s to 2026, a year of curiosity, confidence and supportive learning, together.

On the left, a person sits on a sofa using a laptop. On the right, a purple panel reads “Free webinars!” and lists speakers Chris Bonnello, Elle McNicoll, Eliza Fricker, Holly Smale, followed by “and many more!”. The Haven logo appears at the bottom.

From understanding autism in girls & women to practical support, masking, identity, family conversations, and eating disorders, the Autistic Girls Network YouTube channel has lots of helpful webinars to watch at your own pace absolutely free - https://bit.ly/AGNYT

Illustrated Christmas card with the words “Season’s Greetings” at the top. The scene shows a group of colourful, cartoon-style cats gathered around a decorated Christmas tree. Each cat is doing a different activity, including playing a guitar, painting, reading, listening to music with headphones, holding a volleyball, and standing near wrapped presents. Festive stars, gifts, a teddy bear, and a radio are scattered around the scene, creating a playful, inclusive holiday atmosphere.

Wishing a peaceful Christmas to all those celebrating with our very own Christmas card designed by the fantastic Bob London ❤️

This blog post shares a deeply personal journey of growing up misunderstood, navigating labels, and later finding clarity through an Autism and ADHD diagnosis. It’s an honest reflection on how systems can impact our sense of self. If this resonates read here: https://bit.ly/AGNAudhdjourney

Purple promotional graphic for Included 2026. At the top is the “includEd” logo with a starburst icon. In the centre is the Autistic Girls Network logo, featuring three abstract figures in soft colours and the text “autistic girls network.” Along the left side, vertical text reads “We’re exhibiting at.” The bottom right includes “The Difference” logo.

We’re exhibiting at includED 2026! This national event brings together educators, professionals & organisations committed to inclusion & doing things differently. Come chat with us about how we’re making a difference with our online school https://the-difference.com/included-2026/

Soft, winter-themed graphic with a pale lavender and white background featuring subtle snowflakes and light bokeh effects. Purple text reads: "Christmas can be different, and that's perfectly ok.” Below, smaller text says: “If you need some support in explaining to others how Christmas needs to look for your neurodivergent family, we can help.” The Haven logo appears at the bottom.

Talking with family and friends about what your family needs over Christmas isn’t always easy ❤️
We’ve put together some gentle, practical tips to help make Christmas more autistic-friendly for everyone. Have a read, and feel free to share with others who might find it helpful: bit.ly/AGNAFC

"A Place for Recovery and Renewal." Below it are five rounded blue panels listing supportive offerings: a gentle on-ramp back into structured learning, time and space to process past educational trauma, tools for understanding sensory needs and cognitive differences, strategies for managing anxiety and building confidence, and opportunities to rediscover the natural joy of learning. The Haven logo appears at the bottom.

At The Haven, recovery isn’t rushed, it’s nurtured. We create a calm, supported pathway back into learning for learners who need time, understanding, & a fresh start. Ready to explore whether The Haven could be the right next step for your child? https://thehavenonline.school

"Please try not to put me on the spot, consider how I might feel anxious waiting in a queue or not grasping the point of an exercise. Give me time." Vicky.

Our online learning centre helps neurodivergent learners discover their authentic selves, connect with peers, and learn in ways that honour how they think and grow. Learn more about our team approach on our website.

We’re not here to fit in, we’re here to belong, just as we are.

Belonging isn’t about blending in. It’s about being welcomed, supported, and celebrated exactly as you are. You never have to change who you are to belong here. 
Find out more about how we do things differently - https://thehavenonline.school/about-us/

What's the difference between autistic meltdown, shutdown and burnout? Short term response to experiencing intense overload and lack of control can result in: Shutdown - Inward response, usually characterised by withdrawal into self. Or Meltdown - Outward response, usually explosive in nature. Longer term, ongoing state as a result of having reached the limit of coping strategies can result in Burnout - Exhaustion, loss of skills and increased episodes of shutdowns and / or meltdowns.

Understanding this can make a world of difference in how we provide support. These responses are signs of overwhelm, stress |& unmet needs. When we can recognise what’s happening, we can respond with compassion & create nurturing environments where people feel understood, supported & empowered.

"What one thing do you wish your teachers knew? “I wish you would understand that even though I look fine, I’m petrified. Please go with the suggestions my mum and I have come up with to make me feel better at school. Even if you don’t see what my mum is saying, it is the truth.” Rosa.

We understand how exhausting it can be for families to repeatedly explain their child’s needs, only to feel unheard or dismissed. Everything we do at The Haven is done with our families, as a team. Giving our learners an experience built on emotional safety, understanding & truth is vital.

“To build truly neuroinclusive school systems, we must go beyond reactive accommodations and toward proactive transformation. This means redesigning systems with meaningful participation of neurodivergent voices.”

We've created an empowering learning environment for teachers & learners alike. Our learning space, facilitated by neurodivergent teachers, is specifically designed to be flexible for neurodivergent learners.