Adverse Childhood Experiences

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) refer to some of the most intensive and frequently occurring sources of stress that children may suffer early in life. Such experiences include multiple types of abuse; neglect; violence between parents or caregivers; other kinds of serious household dysfunction such as alcohol and substance abuse; and peer, community and collective violence.

It has been shown that considerable and prolonged stress in childhood has life-long consequences for a person's health and well-being. It can disrupt early brain development and compromise functioning of the nervous and immune systems. In addition because of the behaviours adopted by some people who have faced ACEs, such stress can lead to serious problems such as alcoholism, depression, eating disorders, unsafe sex, HIV/AIDS, heart disease, cancer, and other chronic diseases.

The ACE International Questionnaire (ACE-IQ) is intended to measure ACEs in all countries, and the association between them and risk behaviours in later life. ACE-IQ is designed for administration to people aged 18 years and older. Questions cover family dysfunction; physical, sexual and emotional abuse and neglect by parents or caregivers; peer violence; witnessing community violence, and exposure to collective violence.

To consider your own ACE score online click here.

To download a pdf version of the ACE Score Checklist click here.

Adverse Childhood Experiences can be very serious. So if your ACE score gives you any concern then please make contact. There are a number of targeted therapies that can be of enormous benefit in dealing with the aftermath of ACE exposures. Of particular value is Eye Movement Integration Therapy. Click here to visit the Eye Movement Integration Therapy (EMIT) Specialists website.