Many adults experienced traumatic events in their lives as children. This can be the result of experiencing a death in the family or regularly seeing your parents argue, or possibly experiencing sexual abuse or physical violence. Although traumatic experiences and the impacts of trauma may be different for each person, these are all examples of Adverse Childhood Experiences or ACEs. The impact of ACEs is often carried into adulthood, which can cause severe mental and physical health problems, but there is hope.
Studies show it only takes one caring adult to help reduce the impact of ACEs. With the support of at least one caring adult, children are able to build the resiliency they need to overcome the impacts of ACEs and grow healthfully. You can be that caring adult and help make a difference in a child’s life by giving them support and care—your support may just be what they need to become a success story.
What are Adverse Childhood Experiences, or ACEs?
ACEs are traumatic events or negative experiences that occur in childhood, ages 0-17, that create dangerous levels of stress, or toxic stress, that can prevent healthy brain development and increase a child’s risk for illnesses and unhealthy behaviors throughout life. There are three types of ACEs: Abuse, Neglect and Household Dysfunction.
ACEs do not discriminate. They can affect any child without regard to ethnic, socio-economic, gender and/or geographic lines. Although ACEs are common and can impact a child’s life, there are steps that can be taken to reduce and remove its impact.
Children currently impacted by ACEs can be supported to develop and build resilience with the support of one caring adult. Creating positive, caring experiences help children build resilience, which help buffer adversity. For adults who may be impacted by ACEs, sharing your experience, talking to professionals including your health care provider, and helping to create positive experience for others are steps you can take to reduce its impact on your life. Building resiliency is key to reducing the impact of ACEs and it is never too late to get started.
Why Do ACEs Matter?
ACEs are strongly associated with some of the most common and serious health conditions facing our society today. There are also long-term impacts of ACEs that may impact a child's behavior, physical and mental health later in life. By increasing our awareness and understanding on how ACEs contribute to chronic health problems, illnesses, and unhealthy behaviors throughout life, we can take steps to support children and help reduce the impact of ACEs! Graphic adapted from The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.
You Have the Power to Reduce the Occurrence and Impact of ACEs on Children
Whether you are a parent, community member or health provider, you can make a difference in a child’s life by supporting them, showing you care and creating an environment that creates positive, nurturing experiences. The steps you can take to help make a difference start small.
Begin by increasing your understanding of ACEs and its impact on children, spreading the word to help raise awareness on ACEs, and supporting the children in your life through encouragement and caring to help them build resiliency. The more you know about ACEs, the more you can help reduce its impact and occurrences, which help support healthier children, families and communities in Sacramento and beyond.
Studies show that if a child with ACEs has at least one trusted adult in their life, they are better supported and able to overcome many of the negative outcomes associated with ACEs. You can be that person for a child in need.
ACEs impact children differently. A child living with ACEs may appear withdrawn or anxious, constantly sick with stomachaches or headaches, worried or neglected, or inattentive and misbehaving. Regardless of the sign, they may be in need of help and are looking to you to be the one caring adult they need to help encourage them. By listening, supporting and showing them that you care, you can play a critical role in fostering positive experiences to help build the resiliency they need to combat the toxic stress or ACEs they may be struggling to get through.
By understanding and raising awareness about ACEs, we can help to reduce its impact by:
Changing how people think about the causes of ACEs and encouraging everyone to play a role in helping to reduce the impact of ACEs on children.
Shifting the focus from individual responsibility to community solutions—we all can play a role in supporting the health of children and families.
Encouraging children and adults alike to get screened for ACEs and supporting those who seek help as a healthy and positive action.
Promoting safe, stable, nurturing relationships and environments where children live, learn and play.
Not sure what ACEs look like or if you had ACEs growing up? Contact your health care provider and ask about how you and your family can take the ACEs screening for FREE.
Additional ACEs Resources:
Prevent ACEs Now
Prevent ACEs Now explains early childhood adversity and gives simple actions to support families and help make a better future for all children possible in their community.
Video Credit: The CDC
ACEs: Impact on Brain, Body and Behavior
Learn more about Adverse Childhood Experiences, or ACEs, and its impact on children’s brain, body and behavior.
Video Credit: IHDCYH Talks Entretiens de l'IDSEA
The Science of Resilience
One way to understand the development of resilience is to picture a balance scale or seesaw with protective experiences and adaptive skills on one side counterbalance significant adversity on the other.
Video Credit: Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University
Help Me Grow Sacramento is proud to partner with ACEs Aware to launch a public awareness campaign to create awareness around ACEs and steps we can take to support healthier children, families and communities in Sacramento and beyond. The goal of the campaign is to drive awareness about ACEs, its negative impact on children’s health and health outcomes, and encourage ACEs screening to identify and support children who are impacted by ACEs so that they can get the help they need to thrive.