Adverse Childhood Experiences

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) Questions:

These questions refer to some (but not all) impactful disruptive childhood experiences that can occur before the age of 18. Answering yes to any of these questions does NOT mean you have Complex Trauma (C-PTSD) (Developmental/Relational Trauma) but that the risk is there — and the more “yes” answers, the higher the risk. There are significant other contrasting factors that can provide safety against the outcome of C-PTSD in reaction to Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and these resilience factors should also be considered.

The Questions:

• Did a parent or other adult in the household often swear at you, insult you, put you down or humiliate you? Or, act in any way that made you feel as if you might be hurt?

• 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?

• Did an adult or person at least 5 years older than you ever touch or fondle you or have you touch or fondle their body in a sexual way? Or, attempt or actually have oral, anal or vaginal intercourse with you?

• 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?

• Did you often not have enough to eat, had to wear dirty clothes or had no one to protect you? Or, were your caregivers too drunk or high to take care of your or take you to the doctor if needed?

• Was a biological parent ever lost to you through divorce, abandonment or other reason?

• Was a caregiver often pushed, grabbed, slapped or had something thrown at them? Or, were they often kicked, bitten, hit with a fist or something hard? Or, were they ever threatened with a gun or knife?

• Did you live with anyone who had addiction issues of any kind that took time, care and attention away from you?

• Did any household member have depression or other mental illness and/or attempt, or complete, suicide?

• Was a household member ever in jail or prison? Or, repeatedly involved with law enforcement.

**Keep in mind though, a history of ACEs, and the resulting effects on adult functioning only look at the abuse and neglect side of your developmental picture. There is also a resilience side of childhood/adolescence wherein you had positive experiences or empowering personality characteristics growing up that helped to counteract the negative effects of the trauma. This could be a loving grandparent, friend or teacher who supports and believes in you or an interest in health, nutrition, spirituality or an innate sense of optimism or determination. Sometimes having only one of these positive influences can make all the difference in an otherwise highly dysfunctional childhood.

Resilience Factors