The TEAM Centers, Inc (originally “TEAM Evaluation Center”) is a private, nonprofit agency chartered in 1963. TEAM was started as a collaborative initiative by local community leaders, the Medical Society, and the Metropolitan Council. TEAM’s main purpose in 1963 was the multi-specialty evaluation and assessment of people with developmental disabilities across all ages. The various disciplines included developmental medicine, psychology, occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech and language therapy, and social work. TEAM's staff have always specialized in developmental disabilities within their own discipline.

TEAM's mission is still the same as it was in 1963:

To provide individuals with support to pursue a quality life in the community through:

• person-centered evaluation, treatment, and planning assistance
• professional consultation, training, and technical assistance for people with complex support needs and their families, educators, and caregivers
• leadership in the development of innovative and collaborative support strategies and services

TEAM has expanded across the state and provides many more services for people with developmental disabilities. All of the expansion has been consistent with and driven by TEAM’s mission.

Since 1993, TEAM has been managing the state’s Family Support Program which provides services for individuals and/or families caring for a member who has a severe disability in their home.

In 1994, TEAM opened its West Tennessee Diagnostic and Evaluation Center in Memphis. They have since moved their office to Bartlett, Tennessee but continue to serve people in all the counties in that region. This clinic provides assessments and evaluations for all developmental disabilities for people of all ages.

In 1995, the State of Tennessee contracted TEAM to provide Behavior Support Services across East and Middle Tennessee. With offices in Knoxville and Nashville, TEAM staffs the Behavior Analyst Directors and Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs) who work with individuals who are members of the Medicaid Waiver and their “circles of support.”

In 2001, I. Leslie Rubin, MD and TEAM co-created the Developmental Pediatric Specialists clinic in Atlanta. This practice specializes in evaluations and works closely with families as well as schools, preschools, and other agencies to help parents become better advocates for their children.

In 2004, TEAM began offering treatment (such as medical, psychological therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, and speech and language therapy) within its Multi-Specialty Outpatient Clinic in Chattanooga, which is licensed with the state of Tennessee. TEAM’s clinic offers a continuum of care that gives each individual the hope, support, treatment, and assistance needed for the complex conditions of autism, mental retardation, genetic disorders, and other developmental disabilities.

In 2009, I. Leslie Rubin, MD (now TEAM’s Medical director) and TEAM’s Clinical Director, Karen Weigle, PhD, created the Chattanooga Autism Center (CAC). The CAC is a parent-driven center providing complete lifespan support and services for people with autism spectrum disorders and for their families. The center also serves as an advocacy resource and builds awareness about autism in our region.