Gabriel's Haven provides compassionate respite and support services for families raising children with autism and related developmental disabilities. You are not alone — we are here to help.
Understanding Respite
Compassionate Support for Your Family
Caring for a child with autism or other special needs is a full-time commitment filled with love, advocacy, and dedication. While incredibly rewarding, it can also be physically and emotionally demanding.
Respite care provides temporary, planned support that gives parents and caregivers the opportunity to rest, recharge, attend appointments, work, spend time with siblings, or simply take a well-deserved break — knowing their child is receiving safe, compassionate, and individualized care.
At Gabriel's Haven, we understand that trusting someone with your child is one of the biggest decisions you'll make. That's why we focus on building relationships, respecting your family's routines, and providing care tailored to your child's unique strengths, interests, and needs.
Whether you need a few hours to run errands, attend an appointment, enjoy a date night, or simply take time for yourself, we're here to provide dependable support so your family can thrive.
Take time to care for yourself so you can continue caring for those you love.
Schedule medical visits, therapy sessions, or personal appointments with peace of mind.
Take care of professional commitments or everyday tasks while your child receives attentive support.
Enjoy one-on-one time with your spouse, partner, or other children.
Complete grocery shopping, household tasks, or simply enjoy a quiet moment to yourself.
Regular respite helps prevent burnout and supports your emotional well-being.
Children benefit from positive interactions, new experiences, and meaningful relationships with trusted caregivers.
At Gabriel's Haven, we believe respite care is about more than providing a break — it's about strengthening families.
When caregivers have the opportunity to rest and recharge, they return with renewed energy, patience, and confidence. By supporting caregivers, we help support the entire family.
We believe that caring for the caregiver is one of the most meaningful ways to care for the child.
Every parent deserves the opportunity to pause, breathe, and recharge without guilt. At Gabriel's Haven, we're honored to provide the trusted support that helps make those moments possible.
Compassionate Care Tailored to Your Family's Needs
Every family is different, and so is every child. That's why our services are personalized to provide the support that works best for your family's unique routines, goals, and needs. Whether you need a few hours to recharge or ongoing support, Gabriel's Haven is here to help your family thrive.
Compassionate, one-on-one support provided in the comfort and familiarity of your child's home, allowing caregivers time to rest, recharge, or attend to personal responsibilities.
We provide age-appropriate activities based on your child's interests, strengths, and developmental needs, helping create positive, enjoyable experiences while building confidence and connection.
Examples may include:
No two children are alike. We take the time to understand your child's routines, communication style, sensory preferences, interests, and support needs so every visit feels familiar, respectful, and personalized.
Sometimes the greatest gift is simply time. Whether you're attending appointments, focusing on work, running errands, spending time with siblings, enjoying a date night, or taking a much-needed break — we're here so you can do so with peace of mind.
We believe parents know their children best. We work alongside your family through open communication, consistent updates, and a collaborative approach that respects your goals, routines, and values.
At Gabriel's Haven, we don't just care for children — we support families. Every visit is guided by compassion, patience, respect, and a commitment to helping both children and caregivers feel seen, supported, and valued.
Why Families Choose Us
We combine professional expertise with genuine compassion to deliver care your family can trust.
Our caregivers are specifically trained in autism spectrum disorder and related developmental disabilities.
We listen to your family's unique needs and create personalized care plans that work for you.
We treat every child and family with the same love and respect we would want for our own.
We work around your schedule to provide support when you need it most — including evenings and weekends.
Meet the Founder
I'm the founder of Gabriel's Haven — and first and foremost, I'm Gabriel's mom.
When my son was diagnosed with autism at 18 months, I quickly realized how difficult it was to find care that truly understood his unique needs. Like many parents, I wanted someone who would see my child for who he is, respect his routines, celebrate his strengths, and provide compassionate support while giving our family the opportunity to rest and recharge.
That's why I created Gabriel's Haven.
My mission is to provide families with dependable, autism-informed respite care rooted in empathy, trust, and respect. As both a parent and a professional, I understand the importance of finding someone you can confidently welcome into your home. Every family deserves support, and every child deserves to be cared for with patience, dignity, and kindness.
Welcome to Gabriel's Haven. I'm honored to be part of your family's journey.
With love,
Shawnda
Founder & Autism Mom
Why Choose Us
Your child's safety, comfort, and well-being are our highest priorities. Every aspect of our care is built around creating a safe, supportive, and compassionate experience for your family.
We carefully screen our caregivers so you can feel confident inviting them into your home.
Our caregivers are trained to respond quickly and calmly in emergency situations.
Before services begin, we take the time to understand your child's routines, communication style, sensory preferences, and support needs.
We recognize and respect that every child experiences the world differently. Our care is patient, individualized, and responsive to each child's unique strengths and needs.
We listen first, respect your family's routines, follow your child's care plan, communicate openly, and share updates after each visit.
Gabriel's Haven was created by a mother raising a child on the autism spectrum. This isn't just our profession — it's our lived experience.
Our Services
Every service is delivered by trained, compassionate caregivers who understand the unique needs of children on the autism spectrum.
Compassionate, one-on-one care provided in your home so parents can rest, recharge, or attend appointments knowing their child is in capable hands.
Learn More →Caregivers trained in autism, sensory needs, communication styles, and positive behavior support to create a safe and predictable environment.
Learn More →Every child is unique. We partner with families to follow routines, preferences, behavior plans, and communication strategies that work best for your child.
Learn More →Before services begin, we complete a thorough intake and assessment to ensure support is tailored to your child's strengths, needs, and goals.
Learn More →Common Questions
We know choosing respite care is a big decision. Here are answers to some of the questions families ask most often.
Respite care provides temporary support for children with autism and other special needs, giving parents and caregivers time to rest, attend appointments, work, spend time with family, or simply recharge — while knowing their child is in compassionate, capable hands.
Gabriel's Haven provides in-home respite care for children with autism and other developmental or special needs. Services are personalized to meet the unique needs of each child and family.
We provide care in the comfort and familiarity of your child's home because we believe children thrive in environments where they feel safe and secure. We serve Wilmington, MA and surrounding communities.
Getting started is simple:
We carefully select caregivers who demonstrate compassion, patience, professionalism, and a genuine passion for supporting children with unique needs. All caregivers complete the required screening, training, and certification processes established by Gabriel's Haven before providing services.
Whenever possible, we strive to provide consistency by matching families with the same caregiver. Building trusting relationships helps children feel more comfortable and confident during each visit.
The first visit is all about building comfort and trust. We follow your child's routines, get to know their interests, and move at a pace that helps them feel safe and supported.
At this time, Gabriel's Haven is a private-pay service. As we grow, we will continue exploring additional funding options and partnerships to better serve our community.
Every child is unique. During the intake process, we learn about your child's communication style, sensory preferences, routines, interests, and support strategies so we can provide truly individualized care.
Gabriel's Haven was founded by a mother raising a child on the autism spectrum. We understand the challenges families face because we live them ourselves. Our mission is to provide trusted, compassionate respite care that gives caregivers the confidence to take time for themselves while knowing their child is receiving individualized support.
Still have questions? We're happy to help.
Contact Gabriel's HavenGet In Touch
Whether you're ready to request services or just have questions, we'd love to hear from you. Fill out the form and we'll be in touch within 1–2 business days.
contact@gabrielshaven.org
(757) 575-9273
Wilmington, MA and surrounding communities
Mon–Fri: 9am – 6pm
Weekends: By Appointment
Reach out today to learn how Gabriel's Haven can support your family. Our team is ready to listen and help you find the right services for your needs.
Request Services Now