About Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACES)
- execdirector93
- Sep 24, 2025
- 2 min read
What are ACEs?
ACEs stands for Adverse Childhood Experiences. These are scary or harmful things that happen to a child before the age of 18.
Examples:Â
Being hurt or abused
Not being taken care of (neglect)
Seeing parents fight a lot or get divorced
Living with someone who has a drug or alcohol problem
Having a parent with a mental illness
A family member going to jail
Not feeling safe at home or in the neighborhood
Who is Affected?
Anyone can have ACEs – kids of all races, backgrounds, and incomes. Sadly, some children are more likely to experience ACEs, especially if their families:
Struggle with money
Face unfair treatment (racism, discrimination)
Living in unsafe areas
Don’t have access to support or services
What Can ACEs Do to Children
ACEs can hurt a child’s body and brain, both now and later in life.
Short-term Effects:
Trouble Sleeping or Eating
Feeling worried, scared, or sad
Hard time paying attention or learning
Behavioral problems
Long-term Effects:
Mental health issues like depression or anxiety
Heart disease, diabetes, and other health problems
Trouble in school, work, or relationships
More likely to use drugs, smoke, or drink alcohol
Higher chance of repeating the cycle with their own kids
How Can We Prevent ACEs?
Build Strong Families
Show love and support
Use routines so kids feel safe
Help parents learn healthy ways to handle stress
Support Parents and Caregivers
Offer parenting classes and mental health help
Connect families with food, housing, and healthcare
Create safe, caring places like childcare centers and schools
Build Safe Communities
Stop violence and crime
Fight unfair treatment and racism
Make sure every family can get help when they need it
Why This Matters
When kids grow up feeling safe and loved, their bodies and brains grow strong. They are able to solve problems, build friendships, and become happy, healthy adults.