What are ACEs?
Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are negative or traumatic experiences that occur
between the ages of 0-17 years old. These experiences are likely to impact the wellbeing of a
child throughout their life leading to mental health challenges, and barriers to success when not
addressed with proper care. The severity of ACEs ranges significantly; every child will process
experiences differently and therefore prevention is critical to the healthy development of a child’s mind.

Examples of possible ACEs include:
– Abuse (sexual, verbal or physical)
– Bullying
– Discrimination
– Witnessing violence or substance use
– Loss of a loved one
– Disrupted living situations

Who Is At Risk?
While not commonly discussed, many adults face the repercussions of ACEs knowingly, or
unknowingly. Traumatic childhood experiences can lead to long term struggles with mental
health disorders such as depression and other mood disorders, anxiety, eating disorders and
substance use disorders. All children are at risk of experiencing ACEs however, some children
are at higher risk than others.

Risk Factors that may put your child at greater risk of ACEs include:
– Financial instability
– Exposure to substance use
– Socioeconomic challenges
– Instability due to parent separation
– Exposure to violence
– Exposure to parental and familial mental health issues
– Being an ethnic or racial minority

Protective Factor:
Protective Factors are events or experiences that help individuals cope with stressful or
traumatic events. Having protective factors in your child’s life can lower the risk of experiencing
ACEs and mitigate long term adverse effects of these experiences.

Protective factors include:
– Healthy supportive relationships with parents
– Strong emotional literacy and communication skills within the home
– Strong support systems outside of the home (teachers, mentors/coaches, social
workers)
– Stable housing
– Financial stability

Prevention:
The good news is that with proper care and knowledge the negative outcomes of ACEs are
preventable, and with treatment, do not always lead to long term challenges. Creating stable
nurturing environments for children in and outside of the home can prevent ACEs and help your
child thrive. While individuals at every age are affected by traumatic experiences, the developing mind of a child absorbs all experiences as part of their mental foundation which influences how a child perceives and reacts to situations throughout their life. A child who has developed a healthy foundation and has strong protective factors will be more equipped to thrive as an adult regardless of ACEs. Ways in which you can prevent ACEs at home include using kind words and tone with your child, using non-violent disciplinary methods, teaching emotional literacy/communication skills, and engaging your child in community mentorship programs or sports teams to build confidence, learn new skills, and learn from other positive role models.

It’s Going To Be Ok:
You might now be worried about your child, or concerned that your own ACEs have impacted
you negatively throughout your life, while ACEs can negatively impact an individual, it is
important to remember that you or your child are still able to thrive and heal. Consider how one
takes care of a garden; a tomato plant grown outside in lush soil, with proper watering and full
Sun exposure will produce delicious tomatoes. A tomato plant can still thrive when grown
indoors supported by window light, but it requires extra nurturing and affection so that it may
produce the same fruit as a plant grown outdoors. Individuals who have had adverse childhood
experiences are not unlike the tomatoes grown indoors, they will still thrive in their growth and
become successful so long as they have the resources they need provided for them. If you or
your child are struggling with the impacts of ACEs, we are here to help.

References:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (n.d.). About adverse childhood experiences
(ACEs). Retrieved July 23, 2024, from https://www.cdc.gov/aces/about/index.html
Cleveland Clinic. (n.d.). Adverse childhood experiences (ACE). Retrieved July 23, 2024, from
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/symptoms/24875-adverse-childhood-experiences-ace
Drug Free Kids Nevada. (n.d.). Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). Retrieved July 23,
2024, from https://drugfreelasvegas.org/adverse-childhood-experiences-aces/