Recognizing the Trauma of Adverse Childhood Experiences

Abstract

The Center for Disease Control's Adverse Childhood Experience (ACEs) Study has identified 10 kinds of traumatic events that often occur in families that are "stressed out" by things like substance abuse, extreme poverty, mental illness, being homeless, or being moved around all the time. Having things like this happen in childhood can have a lasting effect on your physical and mental health. Take a look at the categories below. Exposure to one type (not incident) of ACE, qualifies as one point. An ACE Score of 0 (zero) indicates no exposure, while an ACE score of 10 indicates exposure to all trauma categories. INSTRUCTIONS: 1) Identify and list a few of your strengths -how did you survive? Some things about you that you really like? 2) Read the ACE definitions and identify any things you experienced in the family (or families) you grew up in BEFORE THE AGE OF 10. Then enter your score (either zero or 1) for each type of trauma. Add your scores to get your Trauma Dose. 3) Complete the NOW column. 4) Then complete the HOW questions. You're encouraged to discuss your answers with a Counselor or Therapist.