What are ACEs?
Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) are defined as potentially traumatic events that occur during childhood (i.e., 0 to 17 years old). ACEs can be classified as anything traumatic; Examples can be anywhere from:
- Being a child of divorce
- Gun violence and crime in the community
- Experiencing a form of abuse (i.e., emotional, physical, verbal, sexual)
ACEs are common. “About 61% of adults surveyed across 25 states reported that they had experienced at least one type of ACE, and nearly 1 in 6 reported they had experienced four or more types of ACEs.” (CDC, April 3rd, 2020)
ACEs have significant long lasting effects. Adverse Childhood Experiences can occur at any point through child development from 0 to 17 years old, and can be felt, recalled, and drawn upon even after that developmental window. ACEs result in a great deal of potential health problems for future young adults, such as mental health issues, chronic health problems, and substance use and abuse.
ACEs are preventable. With systemic change, potential for ACEs can be recognized early and averted. This comes into play at the ground level in our homes, schools, and communities.
There are three types of ACEs. Abuse (physical, emotional, sexual), neglect (physical, emotional), and household dysfunction (mental illness, mother treated violently, divorce, incarcerated relative, substance abuse).
ACEs affect brain development. Our brains develop from the bottom to the top. The structures within the lower part of the brain help with functions that keep our internal vital organs balanced, such as heart rate, blood pressure, and body temperature. When a child is raised in an environment with trauma, this part of the brain activates our stress response. This might look like increased heart rate, shifts in blood pressure, difficulty with temperature regulation. This is known as the “fight or flight” response. Childrens’ brains who have experienced trauma often have ongoing stress responses. This means that their body is constantly in the state of fight or flight. Because of this bodily response, they are hypervigilant, responding as if threatened, and easily angered or overwhelmed.
ACEs affect attachment/attunement. Typical development of attachment begins with a caregiver fulfilling the needs of the child. The baby cries and the caregiver is able to understand the needs of the child. This is called co-regulation. When this is disrupted and the child’s cries are not met with the attentive and loving caregiver, the child learns that their needs are not going to be met. A child who is not securely attached to a caregiver, cannot learn to co-regulate which then impacts their ability to self-regulate.
Dysregulation in adolescence. Children who did not experience co-regulation now have difficulties self-regulating. In adolescence, this presents as being disconnected from their feelings, both emotionally and internally, and lacking the ability to express their needs. This disconnection could look like anger and aggression, or isolation. These children may not have received the love and support from their early caregivers, yet, it is never too late for these kids to develop secure attachments.
Familial adversity and community adversity are connected. A tree that is planted in healthy soil is supported and nurtured as it grows. When the branches of the tree experience a storm, they are able to survive because of their solid foundation. If a tree is planted with poor soil, it is robbed of nutrients that are necessary to grow. The tree will not be able to sustain and thrive during a storm due to their weak foundation. We can compare this to the growth of a child within their own community. When a child is raised in a community steeped in systemic inequality, they are robbed of the resources necessary to grow and thrive. When a child experiences any adverse childhood experiences such as, maternal depression, emotional and sexual abuse, neglect, etc., the ‘leaves’ (child’s experiences) wither and have difficulties blooming due to their unstable and deprived foundation.
Figure: Developing Community Resilience Pair of ACEs tree image (Ellis & Dietz, 2017)