ACE Scores

Demystifying Adverse Childhood Experiences

What is an ACE Score? 

A while back, there was a study done on Adverse Childhood Experiences and their predictive factors for adult health outcomes. Participants, or their parents, were asked to fill out the following questionnaire (shown below) that revealed family history and health. 

Each time a participant answered “Yes'', they were given one point. The total score of each participant was tallied and became known as their ACE Score. 

The results were staggering. Young people who had high instances of trauma, abuse, or neglect had measurably worse outcomes in both their physical and mental health. 

For example, people with ACE Scores of 4 or more are:

• 2x more likely to develop heart disease

• 3.5x more likely to develop chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

• 4.5x more likely to use illicit drugs

• 12x more likely to attempt suicide

Young people are exceptionally resilient, but chronic exposure to more stress than they can handle leaves indelible marks on their bodies and minds.

The Questionnaire:  

During your first 18 years of life... 

1. Did a parent or other adult in the household often swear at you, insult you, put you down, or humiliate you? or act in a way that made you afraid that you might be physically hurt? 

2. Did a parent or other adult in the household often push, grab, slap, or throw something at you? Or ever hit you so hard that you had marks or were injured? 

3. Did an adult or person at least 5 years older than you ever touch or fondle you or have you touch their body in a sexual way? Or try to or actually have oral, anal, or vaginal sex with you? 

4. Did you often feel that no one in your family loved you or thought you were important or special? Or your family didn’t look out for each other, feel close to each other, or support each other? 

5. Did you often feel that you didn’t have enough to eat, had to wear dirty clothes, and had no one to protect you? Or your parents were too drunk or high to take care of you or take you to the doctor if you needed it? 

6. Were your parents ever separated or divorced? 

7. Was your mother or stepmother often pushed, grabbed, slapped, or had something thrown at her? Or sometimes or often kicked, bitten, hit with a fist, or hit with something hard? Or ever repeatedly hit over at least a few minutes or threatened with a gun or knife? 

8. Did you live with anyone who was a problem drinker or alcoholic or who used street drugs? 

9. Was a household member depressed or mentally ill or did a household member attempt suicide? 

10. Did a household member go to prison?