Norris Academy - Sequel

🌟 Key Highlights: Norris Academy – Sequel

Norris Academy, an operation of Sequel Youth and Family Services, is a Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facility (PRTF) and therapeutic day school in Andersonville, Tennessee. It is committed to providing comprehensive, holistic services to children and adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) and other Neurodevelopmental diagnoses who also have co-occurring psychiatric and behavioral issues that require an intensive level of care.

🏫 Overview

• Type: Private / Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facility (PRTF) & Therapeutic Day School

• Location: Andersonville, Tennessee (30 minutes north of Knoxville)

• Ages/Grades Served: Ages 5 to 17 years old (Educational programs cover common subjects and basic skills, aligning with Grades K–12).

• Enrollment: Licensed to serve up to 63 youth (small class sizes of 6–12 students).

• Core Mission: To provide intensive psychiatric, clinical, and educational services that assess the functionality of risky behaviors, support behavioral change, and facilitate a safe and effective transition back to the family and community.

• Affiliation: A facility of Sequel Youth and Family Services.

• Accreditation: Licensed as a Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facility by the State of Tennessee; operates a Licensed Special Education School staffed by state-certified Special Education teachers.

• Focus: Dual Diagnosis treatment for youth with Neurodevelopmental disorders (ASD, Intellectual Disabilities) and co-occurring psychiatric and severe behavioral disorders.

✅ What Makes the School Unique?

Norris Academy is defined by its highly specialized population, integrated therapeutic model, and educational structure:

• Specialized Population Focus: The program is specifically designed for residents who have Autism Spectrum Disorder, Intellectual Disabilities, or other Neurodevelopmental diagnoses and a co-occurring DSM-5 Psychiatric diagnosis. These are youth whose needs typically exceed community ability to handle.

• Integrated Therapeutic Model: Treatment is holistic and 24/7, involving a team of a Board-Certified Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist, Licensed Therapists, and Board-Certified Behavioral Analysts (BCBA). Key treatment modalities include Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) and Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavior Therapy (TF-CBT).

• Year-Round Special Education: Provides a year-round educational program staffed by Special Education Certified Teachers. The curriculum is highly individualized and based on the resident’s Individualized Education Program (IEP).

• Individualized Curricula: Education covers traditional subjects but is adapted to include curricula for residents with severe barriers, focusing on basic life skills like self-care, social skills, and Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) as needed.

• Focus on Safety and Structure: Provides an intensive, highly structured, and secure environment with 24-hour Registered Nursing care and staff trained in crisis prevention and intervention (e.g., Handle With Care).

• Advanced and Early Learner Tracks: The school utilizes terms like “early learners” and “advanced learners” (borrowed from Verbal Behavior, a subset of ABA) to classify residents’ ability status for more targeted, effective instruction.

• Transition and Family Involvement: The typical length of stay is 3–6 months. Weekly family therapy is a required and critical component, focusing on preparing both the resident and the family for the successful transition back home.

📞 Contact Information