Autism diagnoses in Tennessee have doubled in the past decade, Vanderbilt University Medical Center study finds

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — Research out of Vanderbilt University Medical Center showed that autism diagnoses in Tennessee have doubled in the last ten years.

Researchers at Vanderbilt University Medical Center reported that the number of children with autism in Tennessee has risen from 1 in 68 in 2014 to now 1 in 29 — that's more than 3% of children across the state.

"The awareness and also parents now are not in as much denial," a father and the executive director for Jacob's Audible, Brad Meshell, explained.

"Now, we are more aware and more alert. Hey, listen: if our kiddos aren't hitting these milestones, we need to do something," Meshell said.

Doctors said part of the increase comes from greater awareness about autism, better diagnostic tools and more studies. At the same time, they