Adverse Childhood Experience
Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) are potentially traumatic events that occur in childhood (0-17 years). The ACE Study, one of the largest investigations of childhood abuse and neglect and household challenges and later-life health and well-being, was conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Kaiser Permanente.

The study was originally conducted by Dr. Vincent Felitti and Dr. Robert Anda, along with their colleagues at the CDC. Their groundbreaking research has significantly contributed to our understanding of the long-term impacts of childhood experiences on adult health and well-being.

Why ACE's are Important
Understanding Adverse Childhood Experiences is crucial because
  • ACEs have been linked to risky health behaviors, chronic health conditions, low life potential, and early death.
  • As the number of ACEs increases, so does the risk for these outcomes.
  • The wide-ranging health and social consequences of ACEs underscore the importance of preventing them before they happen.
  • Preventing ACEs can help children and adults thrive and potentially reduce risk for conditions like depression, asthma, cancer, and diabetes.


The ACE Assessment

Gentle Journey: Adverse Childhood Experience Questionnaire


I want to acknowledge the courage it takes to reflect on childhood experiences. This questionnaire is designed with care and compassion to help understand how early life experiences may be influencing your present well-being.

Before You Begin

  • Take your time and breathe. You can pause at any point.
  • Your responses are confidential and will only be used to better support your healing journey.
  • Remember, you’re not defined by these experiences or any resulting score.

Instructions

For each question, please select “Yes” if the experience occurred before your 18th birthday. Select “No” if it did not.


Relationship Experiences

  1. Did you often feel that no one in your family loved you, or thought you were special or important?
    • [ ] Yes
    • [ ] No
  2. Did you often feel that you didn’t have enough to eat, had to wear dirty clothes, or had no one to protect you?
    • [ ] Yes
    • [ ] No
  3. Were your parents ever separated or divorced?
    • [ ] Yes
    • [ ] No
  4. Was a parent or other adult in your household often unable to care for you due to substance use, mental health challenges, or incarceration?
    • [ ] Yes
    • [ ] No
  5. Did you live with anyone who was depressed, mentally ill, or attempted suicide?
    • [ ] Yes
    • [ ] No

Safety Experiences

  1. Did you witness a parent or household member being yelled at, screamed at, sworn at, insulted, or humiliated?
    • [ ] Yes
    • [ ] No
  2. Did you witness a parent or household member being pushed, grabbed, slapped, or had something thrown at them?
    • [ ] Yes
    • [ ] No
  3. Did anyone in your household ever touch you in a way that felt uncomfortable or asked you to touch them in a way that felt inappropriate?
    • [ ] Yes
    • [ ] No
  4. Did a household member ever push, grab, slap, or throw something at you? Or ever hit you so hard that you had marks or were injured?
    • [ ] Yes
    • [ ] No
  5. Did you feel that no one in your family supported one another, felt close to one another, or looked out for each other?
    • [ ] Yes
    • [ ] No

Understanding Your Score

To calculate your ACE score: Count the number of “Yes” responses. This will give you a score between 0-10.
Your score reflects experiences, not your worth or potential. A higher score (4 or more) suggests you may have faced more childhood adversity, which can sometimes impact health and well-being, but with support and resilience-building, healing is always possible.

Next Steps

I understand that reflecting on these experiences can bring up difficult emotions. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, please reach out for support.
Remember, healing isn’t linear, and you’re not alone on this journey. Whether your score is 0 or 10, I’m here to support you with compassion and understanding as you move forward.

Would you like to discuss your results and explore pathways to healing together? I’m here to listen and guide when you’re ready.


NOW WHAT

Latest Resilience Research

Recent studies have shown that building resilience can significantly mitigate the negative effects of ACEs. Key findings include:
  • Resilience protects against negative consequences of ACEs and may thwart the development of mental health problems.
  • Self- and emotion regulation are crucial targets for interventions, especially for emerging adults with a history of ACEs.
  • Improving problem-solving skills, coping strategies, and self-esteem can help reduce the impact of ACEs.
  • Social skills and positive social information processing play important roles in fostering resilience and coping with ACEs.



ACE Minimization Strategies

Building Resilience

For Kids

Resilience is like a superpower that helps you bounce back when things are tough. Here are some ways to build your resilience:

  • Talk to someone you trust about your feelings.
  • Try new things and don't be afraid to make mistakes.
  • Remember that it's okay to ask for help.
  • Do things that make you happy, like playing or drawing.
  • Take deep breaths when you feel upset.



For Adults

Recent research shows that building resilience can significantly mitigate the negative effects of ACEs. Key strategies include:

  • Developing strong, supportive relationships.
  • Practicing self-care and stress-management techniques.
  • Setting and working towards personal goals.
  • Cultivating a positive self-view and confidence in your strengths and abilities.
  • Seeking professional help when needed.

Resilience Strategies

What NOW?

For Kids


Remember:
  • It's not your fault if you've had tough experiences.
  • You are strong and can learn to handle difficult things.
  • There are people who want to help you.
  • It's okay to talk about your feelings with someone you trust.

For Adults

After understanding your ACEs:

  • Remember that your ACE score is not a diagnosis or a destiny.
  • Focus on building resilience and seeking support.
  • Consider professional help if you're struggling with past experiences.
  • Understand that healing and growth are possible at any age.

Resiliency is Journey, it is choice you make every moment in recognizing that suffering is your choice. 

- Nimir Raval 



Resiliency Wheel