What are Adverse Childhood Experiences?
The term "adverse childhood experience" refers to a range of negative situations a child may face or witness while growing up. These experiences include emotional, physical, or sexual abuse; emotional or physical neglect; parental separation or divorce; or living in a household in which domestic violence occurs. Other difficult situations include living in a household with an alcoholic or substance-abuser, or with family members who suffer mental disorders, or in a household with an incarcerated family member.
Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) have a tremendous impact on future violence victimization and perpetration, lifelong health and opportunities. Working together, we can help create neighborhoods, communities, and a world in which every child can thrive.
Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) have a tremendous impact on future violence victimization and perpetration, lifelong health and opportunities. Working together, we can help create neighborhoods, communities, and a world in which every child can thrive.
Take the ACES Survey
For some individuals, taking the ACEs survey can be very emotional. If you feel stressed, anxious, or depressed after taking the ACEs survey, be sure to reach out for support. Friends, family, colleagues, or other trusted adults may be able to help. Anyone who wishes to talk to a professional, be sure to contact the Allegany County Crisis Hotline 24 hours per day, 7 days per week at 1-888-448-3367. A trained crisis specialist is available to provide free, confidential assistance. Additional resources are available at the end of the survey.
Directions: For each “yes” answer, add 1. The total number at the end is your cumulative number of ACEs. Before your 18th birthday:
Directions: For each “yes” answer, add 1. The total number at the end is your cumulative number of ACEs. Before your 18th birthday:
An ACE score is a tally of different types of abuse, neglect, and other adverse childhood experiences. A higher score indicates a higher risk for health problems later in life. It's important to remember that experiences in childhood are just one part of a person’s life story. There are many ways to heal throughout one’s life and not everyone responds to adverse childhood experiences the same.
If you feel like adverse childhood experiences have impacted your life negatively, help is available. There are many forms of trauma-informed treatment options available. Visit our Trauma-Informed Resources page to learn more.
If you feel like adverse childhood experiences have impacted your life negatively, help is available. There are many forms of trauma-informed treatment options available. Visit our Trauma-Informed Resources page to learn more.
Hotline Information
If your life or someone else is in imminent danger, please call 911.
If you are in crisis and need immediate help, please contact any of the following resources:
If you are in crisis and need immediate help, please contact any of the following resources:
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Allegany County Crisis Hotline
Allegany County Community Services National Suicide Prevention Lifeline New York State Crisis Text Line Veterans' Crisis Lifeline |
1-888-448-3367
585-593-1991 1-800-273-TALK (8255) Text "GOT5" to 741741 1-800-273-8255 (Press 1) |
24/7
M-F 8:30a.m.-4:00p.m. 24/7 24/7 24/7 |
What's Missing in the ACES Survey?
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Stressors outside the household (e.g., violence, poverty, racism, other forms of discrimination, isolation, chaotic environment, lack of services)
Protective factors (e.g., supportive relationships, community services, skill-building opportunities) Individual differences (i.e., not all children who experience multiple ACEs will have poor outcomes and not all children who experience no ACEs will avoid poor outcomes—a high ACEs score is simply an indicator of greater risk) |