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Autism in Tennessee

You are not alone. Here is what is true about the child population and public systems in Tennessee — and where to start with early intervention, school, and coverage.

The short answer for Tennessee

  • You are not alone in Tennessee: Census counts 1,570,724 children ages 0–17 (Vintage 2023).
  • IDEA Part B (SY 2022–23): 17,011 children ages 3–21 reported under the Autism disability category in special education (OSEP Section 618) — a served count, not a full population census.
  • Under 3: Tennessee Early Intervention System (TEIS). School age: written evaluation request to the district; statewide info via Tennessee Department of Education — Special Education.
  • Coverage: TennCare. Rights: Disability Rights Tennessee.
  • Published access checklist: 71% (mixed published access path). City numbers only appear later with true local sources.

You are not alone in Tennessee

Families across Tennessee are navigating evaluation, school plans, and services. The figures below are from primary public sources — Census population and IDEA special-education child counts — not invented totals.

  • 1,570,724 children ages 0–17 live in Tennessee (U.S. Census Bureau, Vintage 2023 civilian estimates). You share this state with a large generation of families raising kids.
  • In school year 2022–23, Tennessee reported 17,011 children ages 3–21 receiving special education under the Autism disability category (U.S. Department of Education, IDEA Section 618). That is a real administrative count of children served under that category — still not every autistic child in the state, but clear proof many families are on a related path.
  • Public systems exist because this is not rare here: Tennessee Early Intervention System (TEIS), school special education, TennCare, and Disability Rights Tennessee.

Key numbers for autism families in Tennessee

Children ages 0–17 in Tennessee1,570,724Families share this state with a large generation of kidsU.S. Census · Vintage 2023Source [1]
In special education under “Autism” (ages 3–21)17,011Served under IDEA Part B Autism category — not every autistic childIDEA §618 Part B · SY 2022-23Source [2]
Share of special education (Part B)12.9%Of all Part B disabilities ages 3–21 in the same reportIDEA §618 Part B · SY 2022-23Source [2]
How common identification is (national)1 in 31CDC monitoring sites · context only, not a Tennessee censusCDC ADDM · 2022Source [3]
In early intervention (birth–2, all reasons)9,483Part C total served — not autism-onlyIDEA §618 Part C · SY 2022–23Source [10]

Of the IDEA Autism total: 1,940 ages 3–5 and 15,071 school age 5–21.Source [2]

Where to start in Tennessee

Pick the path that matches your child. Each bullet is one clear action.

  1. If your child is under 3

    Call early intervention

    • WhoTennessee Early Intervention System (TEIS)
    • Do thisAsk for a developmental evaluation
    • Good to knowYou usually do not need a private autism diagnosis first
    • Phone800-852-7157
    Start a referralProgram homepage
    Source [5]

  2. If your child is 3 or older

    Ask the school for an evaluation

    • WhoYour local school district
    • Do thisSend a written request for a special education evaluation
    • SaveDate the letter and keep a copy
    • Statewide infoTennessee Department of Education
    Open special education infoHow IEPs work
    Source [6]

  3. For health coverage

    Check Medicaid

    • WhoTennCare
    • Ask aboutChildren’s coverage
    • Also askEPSDT (screening and treatment for kids on Medicaid)
    • Also askAny developmental disability or HCBS waivers
    • RememberThe agency decides eligibility — not this site
    • ExpansionNo in this catalog[9]— re-check before you rely on it
    Open Medicaid site
    Source [7]

  4. If you are stuck or ignored

    Get free disability rights help

    • WhoDisability Rights Tennessee
    • WhenSchool or an agency will not act
    • Do thisContact them and put your concerns in writing
    • AlsoKeep copies of emails, letters, and meeting notes
    Contact rights helpIf you disagree with the school
    Source [8]

Programs and rights in Tennessee

Extra official links from the depth research pass. Only fields with a published source are shown. (Full research template.)

Early intervention

Special education rights

Medicaid, DD services, and waivers

Private insurance mandate

  • Tennessee Code § 56-7-2367 requires certain health benefit plans to provide coverage for autism spectrum disorder, with statutory age and benefit parameters. Confirm current text and plan type.[11]
  • Read statute / official source

Other official help lines

What to do next

If your child is under 3

  1. Refer to Tennessee Early Intervention System (TEIS) using the official intake information on this page (source: ECTA Part C directory).
  2. You can usually refer without waiting for a private autism diagnosis.
  3. Ask about evaluation timelines and the written IFSP process.

If your child is preschool- or school-age

  1. Send a written request for a special education evaluation to your school district (keep a copy and note the date).
  2. Use statewide special education information from Tennessee Department of Education — Special Education for parent rights and procedural safeguards.
  3. Ask whether the team is considering IEP or 504 supports and request Prior Written Notice of decisions.

Health coverage and rights

  1. Start with TennCare for public coverage pathways; ask about EPSDT and any DD or HCBS waivers.
  2. If access or rights are blocked, contact Disability Rights Tennessee.
  3. Document everything in writing.

At ages 0–4

toddlers and preschoolers
  • Refer to Tennessee Early Intervention System (TEIS) as soon as you have developmental concerns — do not wait for a private diagnosis.
  • Ask your pediatrician for developmental screening and a parallel EI referral the same week.
  • If your child is approaching age 3, ask EI about the transition to school-based services (Part B).

Changes with the age control at the top of the page.

At ages 5–8

5 to 8 year olds
  • Put a special education evaluation request in writing to the school principal or special education director.
  • Use the state special education page for parent rights materials: https://www.tn.gov/education/families/student-support/special-education.html
  • Ask whether a 504 plan or IEP is under consideration and request Prior Written Notice of decisions.

Changes with the age control at the top of the page.

At ages 9–12

9 to 12 year olds
  • Review the IEP or 504 annually; ask for data on progress, not only compliance with minutes.
  • If the district delays evaluation or services, use state complaint and mediation options via Tennessee Department of Education guidance and Disability Rights Tennessee.
  • Document home and school differences (sleep, shutdowns, learning) in a short written summary for the team.

Changes with the age control at the top of the page.

At ages 13–16

teenagers
  • Confirm transition planning is in the IEP (federally required by age 16; many states start earlier).
  • Ask TennCare about adult-serving waivers or long-term supports planning well before age 18.
  • Involve your teenager in meetings; Disability Rights Tennessee can help if rights or access are blocked.

Changes with the age control at the top of the page.

Official autism-related contacts in Tennessee

Early intervention under 3 (Tennessee Early Intervention System (TEIS))

Tennessee Early Intervention System (TEIS)[5]
Tennessee Department of Disability and Aging[4]

Also see: Early intervention guide

School and special education

Start with your local school district (written evaluation request). Statewide:

IEP or 504 · IEP disputes

Medicaid

Ask about EPSDT and any developmental disability or HCBS waivers.

Disability rights help

Cities in Tennessee

Metro guides with local intake contacts, district links, and evaluation pathways:

Autism in Knoxville →Sourced specifically for Knoxville and Knox County: early intervention through TEIS, Knox County Schools' Child Find process, a Hopebridge diagnostic and ABA pathway, and the East Tennessee waiver intake line.6 local resources listedAutism in Memphis →Where Memphis and Shelby County families actually start: the TEIS referral line, Memphis-Shelby County Schools' Child Find office, Le Bonheur's developmental pediatrics team, and how the state's Medicaid waivers work locally.8 local resources listedAutism in Nashville →A sourced guide to autism support in Nashville and Davidson County: TEIS early intervention, Metro Schools' Child Find process, Vanderbilt's TRIAD diagnostic clinic, and the state's disability-waiver access point.14 local resources listed

Common questions about autism supports in Tennessee

References

  1. [1]U.S. Census Bureau. Vintage 2023 civilian population by single year of age (SC-EST2023-AGESEX-CIV), ages 0–17 summed for Tennessee. As of 2023-07-01. Open source
  2. [2]U.S. Department of Education (IDEA §618). Part B Child Count and Educational Environments, school year 2022-23. Children ages 3–21 reported under the Autism disability category (early childhood + school-age totals). This is a count of children served under that category — not a full census of all autistic children. Open source
  3. [3]CDC ADDM Network. Surveillance year 2022: overall ASD prevalence among 8-year-olds across 16 ADDM Network monitoring sites (not every US community) was 32.2 per 1,000 (about 1 in 31). National monitoring-site context only — not a statewide headcount for Tennessee. Open source
  4. [4]ECTA Center · Part C directory. Part C state systems and coordinators directory (used for Tennessee Early Intervention System (TEIS) program and referral fields). Confirm current details on the state site. Open source
  5. [5]Tennessee Early Intervention System (TEIS). Tennessee Department of Disability and Aging. Official early intervention program site for Tennessee. Open source
  6. [6]Tennessee Department of Education — Special Education. Statewide special education information for Tennessee. Day-to-day IEPs start with the local school district. Open source
  7. [7]TennCare. Public Medicaid / health coverage entry point listed for Tennessee. Eligibility is decided by the agency. Open source
  8. [8]Disability Rights Tennessee. Protection & Advocacy organization linked for Tennessee. Open source
  9. [9]Kaiser Family Foundation. Status of State Medicaid Expansion Decisions. Catalog coding for Tennessee: not expanded. Re-check the live tracker before citing. Open source
  10. [10]U.S. Department of Education (IDEA §618 Part C). Total infants and toddlers birth through age 2 receiving Part C early intervention (all eligibility reasons — not autism-only). OSEP Section 618. Open source
  11. [11]State insurance statute / DOI. Tennessee Code § 56-7-2367 requires certain health benefit plans to provide coverage for autism spectrum disorder, with statutory age and benefit parameters. Confirm current text and plan type. Open source

Last checked 2026-08-03. If a link has moved, use the agency’s current homepage.

Last checked 2026-08-03. Programmes and numbers change — always confirm with the agency and your clinician.