Basic ACE Knowledge
What does ACE stand for?
Adverse Childhood Experiences
What are the ages ACEs screens for?
Birth - 17 (the event needed to occur BEFORE the 18th birthday)
If you have a high ACE score, are you doomed?
No! The good news is that the brain is continually changing in response to the environment and the body wants to heal. If the toxic stress stops and is replaced by practices that build resilience, the brain can slowly undo many of the stress-induced changes.
The more ACEs you have, the greater the risk for chronic disease, mental illness, violence and being a victim of violence
TRUE
What are some examples of ACEs beyond the original 10?
racism,
gender discrimination,
witnessing a sibling being abused,
witnessing violence outside the home,
witnessing a father being abused by a mother,
being bullied by a peer or adult,
involvement with the foster care system,
living in a war zone,
living in an unsafe neighborhood,
losing a family member to deportation
How many ORIGINAL ACEs are there?
10 original ACEs:
What percentage of adults have ACEs?
ACEs are common…nearly two-thirds (64%) of adults have experienced at least one ACE
What is resiliency?
Resilience is the ability to bounce back from life’s difficulties. A mix of determination, toughness, optimism, faith, positivity and hope.
Resilience is like a muscle - the more you exercise it, the stronger it grows, especially in very young children where neural pathways are still forming and thinking patterns are elastic.
ACE's are LOOSELY related to the development and prevalence of a wide range of health problems throughout a person's lifespan, including those associated with substance misuse.
FALSE - ACE's are STRONGLY related to the development and prevalence of a wide range of health problems throughout a person's lifespan, including those associated with substance misuse.
Are there ACEs that are “worse” than others?
No - it doesn't matter which ACEs a person has; the harmful consequences are the same. The brain cannot distinguish one type of toxic stress from another; it's all toxic stress, with the same impact.
The questions on an ACE assessment ask questions surrounding childhood ______.
TRAUMA
ACEs don’t occur alone….if you have one, there’s an _______ chance that you have two or more ACEs
87%
What are PCEs?
Positive childhood experiences (positively impacts resiliency). Examples:
1. feel able to talk to your family about feelings;
2. feel your family stood by you during difficult times;
3. enjoy participating in community traditions;
4. feel a sense of belonging in high school;
5. feel supported by friends;
6. have at least two non-parent adults who took genuine interest in you; and
7. feel safe and protected by an adult in your home.
There are only 10 ACEs
False – there are dozens of "extended ACEs" that have been identified through other studies conducted, on state, city, and community levels.
What are epigenetics?
The study of how social and other environments affect our genes by turning them on and off.
Can an adult take an ACEs survey?
YES! Kids and adults can take the ACE survey at any point in their life
Having an ACE score of 4 increases the risk of emphysema, COPD, or chronic bronchitis by nearly _____ percent.
400%
How do PCEs impact ACEs' effects?
Higher PCE (positive childhood experiences) were associated with improved adult health
AND
PCEs helped neutralized the negative impact of ACEs on adult health.
If you have an ACEs score of above 4, you are considered to have complex trauma (c-ptsd)
False - you are much higher rate of developing cptsd and many other serious conditions
What is Trauma-informed approach?
It refers to how an organization or community thinks about and responds to children and adults who have experienced or may be at risk for experiencing trauma.
A trauma-informed approach asks: "What happened to you?" instead of "What's wrong with you?"
It is designed to avoid re-traumatizing already traumatized people, with a focus on "safety first" (including emotional safety), and a commitment to do no harm.
What are ACEs?
Adverse Childhood Experiences are toxic stressors which negative impact the function and structure of kids’ developing brains. Studies shows a correlation between childhood trauma and adult health and social outcomes.
People with an ACE score of 6 or higher are at risk of their lifespan being shortened by ____ years.
20 years
What is the #1 PCE that can help block some of the negative effects of ACEs exposure?
The presence of at least one supportive, caring adult:
family members,
friends,
neighbors,
teachers,
counselors,
coaches,
medical professionals.
These positive adult role models can be a buffer in a child’s life. A buffer is like a shield that helps to block some of the negative effects of ACEs exposure.
Childhood adversity (ACEs) contributes to MOST of our major chronic health, mental health, economic health and social health issues.
TRUE.
How do Epigenetics and ACEs relate?
Epigenetics shows that toxic stress (ACEs) can actually change how our genes function, which can lead to long-term changes in all parts of our bodies and brains. What’s more, these changes can be transferred from generation to generation.