Adverse Childhood Experiences, known as ACEs, are potentially traumatic events that occur in childhood (0-17 years). Examples may include:
ABUSE
Physical
Emotional
Sexual
NEGLECT
Physical
Emotional
HOUSEHOLD DYSFUNCTION
Mental Illness
Incarcerated Relative
Mother treated violently
Substance Abuse
Divorce
The National Survey of Children’s Exposure to Violence found that over 60% of children surveyed experienced some form of trauma, crime, or abuse in the prior year, with some experiencing multiple traumas.
Frequent or prolonged exposure to ACEs can damage the developing brain of a child, affect their overall health, and impact their school performance. However, with support, children and young adults can successfully process adverse events and go on to thrive. Schools are the single point of connection between home life and community dynamics, and the responsibility of educators to prepare young people to function successfully in the world as adults can only be bolstered with a trauma-sensitive approach.
To learn more about ACEs, their the impact, and how to prevent them, check out this link.
