Different Not Less Foundation: Building a Village Where Every Child Belongs

By Nayomie Suarez, Co-Founder of Different Not Less Foundation

When we created the Different Not Less Foundation, we weren’t simply launching another nonprofit. We were creating something deeply personal, something rooted in our family’s experiences, our professional backgrounds and our unwavering belief that every child deserves to be seen, supported and celebrated.

As a Registered Behavior Technician with nearly a decade of experience working with children and adults with autism and other developmental disabilities, I have had the privilege of walking alongside countless families. I’ve witnessed incredible milestones, remarkable resilience and the transformative power of community. I’ve also seen the challenges many families face when trying to access resources, find support and navigate systems that can often feel overwhelming.

Josh brings a deeply personal perspective as well. As a father and public figure, he has used his platform to help amplify the voices of families in the community and to advocate for greater understanding and inclusion. His experiences meeting families through our work have shaped his commitment to ensuring that Different Not Less is not just something we say, but something we actively live out in every initiative we create.

At the same time, Josh and I began having conversations about how we could use our platform to make a meaningful impact. We knew we wanted to create something that would extend beyond awareness and focus on action.

Those conversations became the foundation of Different Not Less.

Our name reflects a message we believe wholeheartedly: being different does not mean being less.

Too often, children with autism and other developmental disabilities are defined by limitations instead of strengths. We wanted to challenge that perspective and help create a world that embraces differences rather than viewing them as barriers.

Our mission is to support individuals with autism and developmental disabilities while empowering the families who advocate for them every day. We strive to create opportunities for inclusion, build stronger communities and provide resources that help families feel supported rather than isolated.

Our vision is to become a place where families know they have a village behind them.

We believe meaningful change happens when communities come together. That’s why our work extends beyond traditional programming. We want to create experiences that bring families together, foster genuine connections and remind children that they belong exactly as they are.

One of our favorite examples of this mission in action has been our community events. Through sensory-friendly activities, youth programs and family-centered experiences, we’ve been able to create spaces where children of all abilities can participate, connect and simply enjoy being kids.

We are also expanding our efforts through initiatives such as sensory basket drives and back-to-school programs designed to provide families with practical support and resources.

Our work is still growing, but our purpose remains the same.

Every family’s journey with autism is unique. Some families are just beginning to seek answers. Others are navigating therapies, school systems, medical appointments and daily routines. Many are balancing all of those responsibilities while trying to ensure their children feel accepted and understood.

We want families to know they don’t have to do it alone.

As parents ourselves, this mission has taken on an even deeper meaning. Becoming parents has reinforced our belief that every child deserves opportunities to thrive, explore, and be celebrated for who they are.

At Different Not Less, we don’t focus on changing children to fit into the world around them. Instead, we focus on creating communities that recognize and appreciate the strengths, perspectives and individuality of every child.

We know there is still work to be done, but we’re incredibly hopeful about the future.

We’re grateful for the opportunity to share our story with the Seattle Children’s community because awareness creates understanding, and understanding creates inclusion.

Our goal has never been to build a foundation that simply provides services. Our goal is to build a movement that changes the way communities view autism and developmental disabilities.

Different doesn’t mean less.

It means unique. It means valuable. It means deserving of acceptance, opportunity and love.

And that’s the village we’re committed to building.

For more information, follow the Different Not Less Foundation on Instagram.