In 1977, Judith Weber faced a challenge that would change countless lives. Her son Tobin, who was severely autistic, needed more than traditional school could provide.
She wanted to create a place where children like him could learn, grow and find joy. That vision became Tobinworld – a small program named after Tobin and inspired by his favorite song, “It’s a Small World.”
“Tobin taught me that progress is not always about speed,” Weber once said. “Sometimes it’s about patience, creativity and believing that every child can learn in their own way.”
What began as a mother’s act of love grew into one of Southern California’s most respected centers for children with autism and developmental disabilities.
How a family sparked a movement
Tobinworld started with a simple idea: to help children who didn’t fit into the system find their place in it. The first few years were practical and personal. Weber worked directly with children and parents, creating an environment in which compassion guided every decision.
During the 1980s and 1990s, the program expanded to serve hundreds of children each year. It became known for never turning a child away and finding creative ways to reach students who struggled in traditional classrooms.
“We learned that every child has a window of connection,” shared a long-time employee. “Sometimes it’s music, sometimes it’s art, sometimes it’s humor. Once you find that connection, everything changes.”
For more than four decades, this philosophy guided Tobinworld’s success – seeing the child first, not the diagnosis.
Expansion to mental health
In the early 2000s, Judith Weber and her team recognized a growing need that went beyond education. Many children with developmental delays also struggled with emotional and psychological problems. In response, Tobinworld took a bold new step.
In 2003, the organization founded Tobinworld Mental Health, a community-based clinic designed to provide comprehensive mental health services to children and adolescents ages 5 to 21. The goal was simple but ambitious: to treat the entire child.
“We realized we couldn’t just focus on academics,” said a member of the Tobinworld leadership team. “We also needed to support emotional growth. A child who feels safe and understood learns better and lives better.”
This expansion made Tobinworld one of the few organizations in Los Angeles able to help children with developmental disabilities and mental health disorders – a combination known as dual diagnosis.
The clinic’s partnership with the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health has allowed it to reach hundreds of families each year. When Tobinworld began accepting private insurance in 2020, it opened its doors even wider.
A Home for Healing in Pasadena
Two years later, Tobinworld Mental Health moved to a historic home in the Pasadena Theater District, symbolizing a new era. The atmosphere is warm and inviting, reflecting the organization’s belief that care should never seem clinical.
As you walk through the halls, you’ll see art on the walls, soft lighting, and children learning in small groups or one-on-one sessions. Each program is personalized and ranges from emotional regulation and social skills training to behavioral therapy and family support.
“Every child who comes through our doors has potential,” explained one therapist. “Our job is to help them see it within themselves – and to help families believe it too.”
The clinic doesn’t stop at treatment plans. Parents and carers are involved every step of the way. They are seen as partners and not as spectators in their child’s development.
“When parents participate, the growth we see multiplies,” another clinician said. “Families heal together.”
Lead with compassion and expertise
What sets Tobinworld apart isn’t just its longevity or scope – it’s its heart. The team’s expertise is matched by a deep understanding of the families they serve. Many staff members have decades of experience and yet approach each child as unique.
This human-centered approach is what gives Tobinworld an edge in an increasingly complex mental health landscape. Where other clinics might turn away children with dual diagnoses, Tobinworld steps in.
“We have had parents come to us after being told their child was ‘too complicated’ to help,” said a program director. “There is nothing like that here. We believe that every child can make progress.”
In a field where results are often measured by numbers and milestones, Tobinworld measures success in moments – when a child makes eye contact for the first time or when a teenager learns to manage anxiety without breaking down.
These small successes add up to transformation.
The Business of Care: A Sustainable Mission
Running a mental health nonprofit isn’t easy. Funding shifts, insurance policies change, and demand grows faster than resources. But Tobinworld’s stable leadership and partnerships have ensured the company has been resilient for more than 40 years.
The organization operates with the same discipline as a successful company: strategic planning, employee training and a focus on measurable results. But his core values – compassion, inclusion and integrity – guide every decision.
This balance between structure and empathy makes Tobinworld Mental Health a model for other clinics. It shows that even a small nonprofit can create lasting change with the right leadership and vision.
Looking ahead
Today, Tobinworld’s impact continues to grow throughout Los Angeles County. The team is expanding services and looking for ways to reach families who need support but can’t always access it.
Judith Weber’s original mission still drives everything they do: to help children live the happiest, normal and most productive lives possible.
“Tobinworld began with a child,” Weber recalled years later. “But every time we help someone else, we honor that beginning.”
What began as a mother’s determination has become a legacy of hope – one based on empathy, expertise and the belief that every child, no matter the challenge, deserves the chance to thrive.
