Purpose Over Fear. Community On Purpose.Building belonging through words, art, education, and community.
For neurodivergent, LGBTQIA+, and neuroqueer people—and those who love them.
Because executive functioning, belonging, and healing have never been solo projects.
A Neuroqueer Expressive Arts Collective
Who We Are
Different On Purpose is a neuroqueer collective rooted in creativity, connection, and community.
We curate spaces for neurodivergent and LGBTQIA+ people—and their loved ones— to gather, make, question, play, and discover what becomes possible when difference is not treated as deficit.
Through art, writing, movement, rhythm, shared experience, and meaningful conversation, we follow the creative process wherever it wants to go.
Our work takes shape through books and characters, groups and workshops, creative experiences, and continuing education.
Our Philosophy
No one chooses to be neurodivergent. No one chooses to be queer. No one chooses their gender. We are who we are.
Different On Purpose is not about choosing difference. It is about choosing authenticity in a world that often asks us to be someone else.
To say "different on purpose" does not imply that someone chooses their neurodivergence, queerness, or identity. It is about the conscious choice to understand ourselves more deeply, to live with greater honesty, and to express who we are with intention.
We value curiosity more than conformity and expression more than performance.
At Different On Purpose, we believe that when purpose is stronger than fear, people can live openly, creatively, and honestly.
In other words, when purpose matters more than fear, difference becomes intentional.
Some are looking for community.
Some are looking for answers.
Some are looking for creativity.
Some simply want to understand themselves—or someone they love—a little better.
There’s More Than One Way In.
Where would you like to begin?
GroupsGather with people who understand. Our groups create space for connection, shared regulation, creative exploration, and the relief of not having to explain everything firsthand.
WorkshopsCome make, question, play, and explore. Each workshop offers a focussed creative experience rooted in identity, belonging, expression, and neuroqueer possibility.
Continuing EducationEthically grounded, creatively engaging education for counselors and other helping professionals who want to work more responsively with neurodivergent, queer, and gender-expansive people.
NBCC accredited educational opportunities for licensed mental health professionals including counselors, therapists, and social workers who want to increase their competence in working with neurodivergent and gender-expansive populations.
Coming up in fall 2026
October 3rd, 2026
November 7th, 2026
Training, Speaking, & EducationThought-provoking conversations and experiential learning for organizations, schools, clinicians, and communities ready to question inherited assumptions and imagine more inclusive ways of being together.
Keynotes, consultation, and customized trainings for schools, workplaces, healthcare, and community organizations.
About Your Facilitator
Mandy Parida
Mandy (she/they) is the founder of Different On Purpose and an interdisciplinary artist, writer, educator, speaker, expressive arts therapist, and activist whose work explores neurodiversity, gender diversity, expressive arts, neuroqueering, and belonging.
Different on Purpose is a creative practice where people are invited to question inherited assumptions, embrace difference, and imagine new possibilities for themselves and their communities.
Their work is grounded in the belief that belonging, executive functioning, creativity, healing, and human connection have never been solo projects.
Different on Purpose FAQs
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Different On Purpose is a neuroqueer collective where curiosity is valued over certainty, difference isn’t treated as a deficit, and inherited assumptions can be questioned.
Through expressive arts, education, and community, we create spaces where neurodivergent and LGBTQIA+ children, teens, adults, families, clinicians, and allies can explore identity, build connection, and unmask at their own pace.
We’re not a therapy practice. We’re a place to learn, create, and belong.
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Different On Purpose offers expressive arts groups, workshops, continuing education, professional trainings, community events, and creative resources for all ages.
Whether you’re looking for community, practical tools, professional development, or a different way of thinking about being human, there’s a place for you here.
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Different On Purpose is for neurodivergent, LGBTQIA+, and questioning people—and for the parents, caregivers, educators, clinicians, organizations, and allies who want to build more affirming communities.
You don’t need artistic experience or specialized knowledge. You just need curiosity and a willingness to show up as yourself.
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Let's Connect!Join the Different On Purpose mailing list.