When Judi Uttal’s son, Josh, was diagnosed with autism at age 3 three decades ago, she began a lifelong journey of advocacy while balancing a career as a high technology marketing executive.

“Back then, there were no resources, no laws — nothing,” Judi recalls. “From the beginning, it was about not just finding resources for my son but for the entire community.” 

This mission eventually led her to become president of the Orange County Asperger’s Support Group (OCASG), based in Irvine, where she has lived for 36 years.

Inspired by Josh’s challenges and empowered by her education that includes a Bachelor of Science from UCLA in Math/Computer Science and MBA from Carnegie Mellon’s Tepper School of Business, Judi founded two groundbreaking OCASG initiatives: the Gavel Club in 2012 and the Autism in Entertainment Workgroup in 2022. The Gavel Club, a Toastmasters program tailored for individuals on the autism spectrum, focuses on building communication skills and confidence.

“I’ve seen participants blossom,” Judi says. “There’s Lauren, who’s been part of our group since the very beginning. When we first met her, you could barely understand her because she spoke so quickly and ran her thoughts together. And now she gives beautiful speeches.” 

The program’s success has been so impactful that researchers at Cal State Fullerton are publishing studies on its benefits.

Josh’s challenges also inspired Judi to form the Autism in Entertainment Workgroup. After he graduated with a degree in Television and Cinema, Judi saw how traditional job development methods failed to meet the unique needs of individuals on the spectrum. Drawing on her high-tech marketing background, she envisioned a targeted approach to connect autistic talent with opportunities in fields like animation, film and game design.

The group’s first milestone was hosting the Autism in Entertainment Conference this year, attended by over 400 people and 85 companies. 

“That day was magical,” Judi says. “People on the spectrum realized they weren’t broken — they were innovators with superpowers.”

Beyond these major initiatives, OCASG supports families navigating the complexities of autism with over 100 annual activities, from social programs to educational workshops. One such program is OCASG Friends and Fun. This social program offers high-school aged teens and adults monthly activities and social discussions led by autism experts. Activities include scavenger hunts, ghost tours, bowling and more. The program is partially funded by a grant from the City of Irvine and is free to qualifying Irvine residents. (For details, visit https://ocaspergers.org/index.php/friends-fun )

“Parents often feel overwhelmed,” Judi says. “We give them the tools and connections they need to build better futures for their children.”

For Judi, the greatest reward is seeing lives transformed. 

“Ideas like the Gavel Club and the entertainment workgroup started as visions,” she says. “Now, they’re changing lives — proving that people on the spectrum can thrive and inspire.”