This first foundational course addresses the uniqueness of treating children with substance use disorder, beginning with the need for treatment professionals to alter intervention techniques to accommodate the child’s level of cognitive and emotional development. It introduces major topics for expansion in later courses, including basic counseling skills, motivational interviewing, treatments for children exposed to trauma, pharmacological options as a part of treatment, and ethical considerations.
In addition, Course 1 introduces the components of a unique intervention (Suitcase For Life) for working directly with the child which was initially developed by working with children in Afghanistan and then tailored for children in street circumstances in Brazil. This intervention is presented in full detail in Course 6.