The term ACE stands for “adverse childhood experiences.” It indicates an event that could be potentially traumatic. The term was first introduced during a study conducted at Kaiser Permanente from 1995-1997, involving over 17,000 participants, that recognized and documented how childhood abuse, neglect, and exposure to adversities in the home had lasting negative impacts in areas of development and health.
The vast majority of individuals experience some form of ACE in their lives, which can include neglect and abuse, growing up in a family with mental health or substance issues, the loss of a parent through death/separation or abandonment, and the incarceration of a family member. The more ACEs an individual experiences, the higher the probability that their health and development will be negatively impacted.
The more exposure to ACEs results in a higher probability of experiencing developmental delays, health issues, poor academic achievement, and substance abuse issues later in life. Research demonstrates a correlation between early adversity and poor outcomes later in life.
What may come as a surprise to many is that ACEs are, in fact, fairly common. “According to a Harvard study, “more than two-thirds of the population has reported experiencing at least one ACE, and nearly a quarter having experienced three or more.” The issue is when children experience multiple ACEs with limited or no adult support, which leads to toxic stress. While stress and learning to cope with adversity is an important part of development, prolonged, or toxic, stress can actually delay development and damage health and learning long-term.
The stress response is activated when we feel threatened, and our bodies respond by increasing blood flow, heart rate, and stress hormones. When a child’s stress response is activated within a supportive and safe environment, they learn how to reset and return to a baseline. However if a child doesn’t not have supportive relationships and experiences prolonged stress, it can weaken the immune system and affect brain development and social development.
When professionals talk about trauma-informed care, they look at problematic behaviors as a result of the ACEs and treating the traumatic experiences the individual has had. Initiatives to increase awareness of the impact of ACEs on the population have spurred intervention efforts. The state of Wisconsin conducted a state wide population survey and has taken measures to ensure state-wide trauma-informed care system is available in nursing and education facilities, and the state of Washington has enacted legislation to prevent and mitigate ACEs. Using a medical system that combines medical and psychological care is key in preventing and treating ACEs. Early childhood and family interventions, mentoring programs, and treatment services are additional intervention methods. Below are resources for general practitioners, mental health professionals, childcare workers and family interventionists.
VetoViolence ACEs Training (Educators and General Practitioners)
TED Talk (“How Childhood Trauma affects Health across a Lifetime”)
ACEs Screening Tool Kit
