This Online Quiz Assists Adults in Recognizing Their Adverse Childhood Experiences

Parenting

The first time I encountered the concept of Adverse Childhood Experiences, or ACEs, was during a getaway weekend with my partner. While he prepared for dinner, I gazed out the window at the St. Louis skyline, scrolling through social media when I came across a video my friend deemed a “must-see.” Intrigued, I started watching a TEDx talk by Dr. Laura Finch about ACEs, and I quickly became captivated. It struck me that many people I know, including children in my adoption and foster care circle, have endured at least one ACE. Moreover, an individual’s ACE score can significantly affect their physical, emotional, and mental well-being as adults.

An Adverse Childhood Experience refers to “highly stressful” and “potentially traumatic” events that occur to individuals under eighteen. These experiences can range from single incidents to multiple traumatic events or ongoing circumstances. ACEs can undermine a person’s sense of safety, trust, and self-worth, leaving them feeling threatened or violated. Examples of ACEs include sexual assault, parental divorce or death, suicide, physical abuse, neglect, exposure to violence, mental health issues among family members, and more.

Here’s what you should keep in mind. “When adverse experiences are not mitigated by a nurturing adult or supportive environment—or when they are persistent or overwhelming—they can trigger a toxic stress response.” This response can adversely affect a child’s developing brain and body, leading to negative health outcomes later in life. Imagine a series of standing dominos; one ACE knocks over the first, resulting in a domino effect that creates chaos.

If you found yourself resonating with the list of ACEs, you’re not alone. The CDC reports that 61% of surveyed adults have experienced at least one ACE, and one in six adults have faced four or more. “ACEs are connected to chronic health issues, mental health disorders, and substance abuse in adulthood,” and can also negatively influence education, job prospects, and earning potential. Thus, your ACE score is important, but it’s not the only aspect of your life.

To determine your ACE score, you can take a ten-question yes-or-no quiz available on the ACE Resource Network’s site, known as Number Story. Once you receive your score, you may wonder about the next steps. Your narrative, as the site explains, extends beyond just the number of ACEs you’ve encountered. Trauma is complex, and you hold the power to decide how to address it.

A compelling yet dense book titled The Body Keeps the Score (which many mental health professionals refer to as the trauma bible) outlines how trauma alters brain function. The encouraging news is that if the brain can be conditioned by trauma, it can also be rewired for change. However, this requires effort and resources.

What might the healing process entail? I spoke with Dr. Sarah Johnson, a neuropsychologist based in New York City and a faculty member at Columbia University, about how we can reprogram our brains after trauma.

The first step is to take the Number Story quiz online and share your score with your healthcare provider. This can facilitate a normalized dialogue about adverse childhood experiences and their effects on your life. Dr. Johnson emphasizes that discussing and acknowledging our past can diminish the power that secrecy often holds over these experiences. (On a personal note, reading Daring Greatly by Alex Green can also be beneficial as you delve into topics of shame and secrecy.) Shedding light on painful truths can be empowering and transformative.

The second step involves engaging with “unresolved issues,” addressing the challenges faced as an ACE survivor, and pairing negative memories with the positive experience of being validated by a therapist. This can be transformative, as the therapist’s acceptance of the survivor’s story enables them to “rework neural circuits associated with trust and cultivate healthier connections.” Various therapeutic approaches, including cognitive behavioral therapy and EMDR (the type of therapy recently discussed by a public figure), can be effective.

The third step focuses on lifestyle changes, which can be guided by professionals. Dr. Johnson notes that chronic stress from ACEs keeps our systems on high alert, hindering our bodies from achieving balance. By introducing positive stimuli—like nutritious foods and soothing music—survivors can support their bodies in regulating effectively. While therapy and lifestyle adjustments are crucial, medication might also be a consideration for some ACE survivors.

If you recognize that you’ve faced an ACE (or several), it’s important to acknowledge its impact rather than dismiss it. Toxic stress can alter how the body copes with stress and affect brain development, leading to long-term health issues, such as substance misuse, infections, asthma, and mental health disorders. ACEs also heighten risks for suicide, cancer, and heart disease, and are linked to challenges like teen pregnancy and job retention. Clearly, ACEs are serious matters.

The silver lining is that while ACEs can leave lasting effects on the survivor’s brain and body, hope remains. By taking proactive steps to acknowledge ACEs and their consequences, survivors can embark on a healing journey.

This article was originally published on June 8, 2021.

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Summary:

This article discusses Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and their lasting impacts on adults. It highlights the importance of recognizing ACEs through a quiz, understanding their effects on mental and physical health, and taking proactive steps towards healing. By seeking therapy, making lifestyle changes, and talking openly about past experiences, individuals can begin their journey towards recovery. Resources and further reading are provided for those looking to understand more about ACEs and healing.

Keyphrase: Adverse Childhood Experiences

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