ACEs are potentially traumatic events that occur during childhood (0-17 years). Those events are specific types of childhood trauma that can have long-term consequences throughout a lifetime: emotionally, psychologically, and biologically.

An ACE score is measured by a simple questionnaire that tallies ten different types of childhood abuse, neglect, or trauma. Each experience is counted as one:

• Five are personal experiences involving abuse or neglect: The child experiences physical, verbal, and/or sexual abuse, physical and/or emotional neglect.
• Five others are experienced through household dysfunction as it relates to family members. The child may witness any or all of the following: a parent or caregiver with substance use disorder, a mother or sibling subjected to domestic violence, a family member in jail, a family member diagnosed with a mental illness, and/or the disappearance of a parent through divorce, death or abandonment.

The higher the score, the higher the risk for later health problems. Children who have experienced one or more ACEs have an increased risk for depression or other mental health challenges, substance use disorder, death by suicide, cancer, heart disease, or other health conditions.

How do you parent or care for a child who has experienced ACEs? You’ve probably heard the pre-flight safety instructions: put on your own mask before helping others. It’s the same process when supporting a child with ACES.

• Foster a healthy relationship with your child.
• Learn about the concept of resilience so you can both demonstrate and teach them resiliency skills.
• Commit to positive parenting skills.
• Build a strong support system of other caring adults.
• Have healthy social connections, and teach your child how to make healthy connections as well.
• Help your child to identify and express complicated feelings or worries. Keep the door open to talk when they are ready.
• Look for the good, and also show your child how to seek positive feelings and experiences.
• If you don’t know where to get started, most communities provide Parent Education Programs through your county or city health services, and through the local public school program.

Article shared from SAFE Project