“Adverse childhood experiences are the single greatest unaddressed public health threat facing our nation today.” – Dr. Robert Block, American Academy of Pediatrics
Imagine a simple, 10-question test that could determine if a child is at a higher risk of psychological and medical problems like long-term depression, chronic disease, incarceration, and employment challenges when they become adults, or provide adults with a better understanding of their own health risks and behaviors.
Such a tool could revolutionize early intervention strategies, allowing educators, healthcare providers, and parents to identify at-risk children early on and implement targeted support systems.
Known as the Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) test, this assessment is already in use. The results enable specialists (including behavioral health specialists at our Center For Resiliency) to tailor treatment plans that address the unique needs and experiences of each individual, which improves the effectiveness of therapeutic interventions.
10 Questions
Take the ACE test for yourself or for a child in your care. Read these 10 “yes/no” questions and add one point for each “yes” answer.
1. Did you feel that you didn’t have enough to eat, had to wear dirty clothes, or had no one to protect or take care of you?
2. Did you lose a parent through divorce, abandonment, death, or other reason?
3. Did you live with anyone who was depressed, mentally ill, or attempted suicide?
4. Did you live with anyone who had a problem with drinking or using drugs, including prescription drugs?
5. Did your parents or adults in your home ever hit, punch, beat, or threaten to harm each other?
6. Did you live with anyone who went to jail or prison?
7. Did a parent or adult in your home ever swear at you, insult you, or put you down?
8. Did a parent or adult in your home ever hit, beat, kick, or physically hurt you in any way?
9. Did you feel that no one in your family loved you or thought you were special?
10. Did you experience unwanted sexual contact (such as fondling or oral/anal/vaginal intercourse/penetration)?
Understanding The Results
As your Adverse Childhood Experience (ACE) score increases, so does the risk of health, social, and emotional problems. Consider your score as a measure of the various types of toxic stress you experienced during childhood and a signal of potential health risks based on statistical trends.
For instance, individuals with an ACE score of 4 or higher face a 4- to 12-fold increased risk of issues such as alcohol and substance use disorders, depression, and suicide attempts compared to those with a score of 0. They are also significantly more likely to experience conditions like cancer, emphysema, strokes, and heart attacks, marry someone with alcoholism, and have shorter lifespans.
“The science is clear – early adversity dramatically affects health across a lifetime.” – Dr. Nadine Burke Harris, former Surgeon General of California
Overcoming Adverse Childhood Experiences
“A traumatic experience of some type is what leads to a ‘yes’ answer for any of the ACEs questions, but some questions have longer-lasting impacts throughout life. Yes, seeing a parent or caregiver abused, depressed, or using drugs is difficult for any child, but, in my opinion, not feeling loved or supported when a traumatic event has occurred has a greater impact because it directly correlates to our resiliency,” explains Jenni Gordon, Director of the Children’s Legacy Center for Resilience.
Jenni and her team work with children referred to by our Children’s Advocacy Center after a child has completed a forensic interview. The Center for Resilience provides a holistic, trauma-informed, resiliency-oriented, evidence-based therapeutic approach to support healing, motivated by the belief that no child or family should be defined by the worst thing that happened to them.
Although therapy is a recommended approach to overcoming high ACE scores and mitigating their impact, there are several options obtainable for most people, including: regular exercise, creating a stable routine, focusing on personal growth, and pursuing positive, healthy relationships.
Jenni adds: “These options do, of course, have different levels of impact on the healing process. Regular exercise and improving personal growth are definitely impactful, but short of professional counseling, choosing healthy relationships can have a profoundly positive effect.”
More information and tips can be found in our Caregiver's Guide.
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Available Resources
If you or a child in your care have ACE scores above 0, there are resources available in Shasta County. Our Children's Legacy Center For Resilience is open to community referrals. Please contact us at 530.232.0525 for more information.
Additionally, multiple community organizations provide support and resources to children and families:
