ACEs scoring and Systemic Racism.
ACEs or Adverse Childhood Experiences, is a scoring formula developed by Dr. Nadine Burke Harris, California’s first Surgeon General and award winning physician.[1] Her research shows that the adversity experienced as a child can be carried well into adulthood. Studies have linked a greater number of ACEs with greater risk of heart disease, cancer, bone fractures and chronic lung or liver diseases, diabetes and stroke. Those with the most ACEs, four to six or more, tend to have higher rates of mental illness. [2] Challenges children face in school, life – and ultimately with their health – are often the symptoms of ACEs and toxic stress. [3]
Working together, we can help create neighborhoods, communities, and a world in which every child can thrive. [4]
What do ACEs scores tell us about the current events and the results of them in our children’s future? Children today are faced with unique challenges including lack of social interaction from peers, fears of contracting Covid-19, influx of at home stressors from unemployed parents, the inability to communicate their stressors to peers and adults outside of their homes, and racial trauma triggers in the media.
Ms. Annie Gurton, Psychotherapist, reached out about her experience with ACEs in her own couple’s counseling practice. She writes “As a psychotherapist almost all the clients I see have experienced ACE. As a consequence they present with addiction, depression and anxiety, obsessive behaviours, compulsions and are often deeply unhappy and unable to function. I particularly work with couples, and ACE events are almost always present when a relationship begins to become dysfunctional and the couple disconnected.” [5]
Only time will tell what our current population of children will face as a result of these unique traumas in their everyday life. It will be in society’s best interest to learn from past ACEs scoring to see what we can do to help prevent trauma that will be inevitably brought into adulthood.
What are your experiences with ACEs in your own practice?
What can we do now that would help prevent childhood trauma in children today?
Comment below.
[1] https://centerforyouthwellness.org/the-science/
[3] https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/childabuseandneglect/acestudy/index.html
Dr. Alicia Vink
Dr. Alicia Vink, candidate for Phoenix Elementary School board, is a caring mother, has her doctorate in educational leadership, and is solution-driven. It is no secret that education in Arizona needs major changes in order to keep up with the rest of the nation. Notably, the topic of discussion is what changes are needed in order to provide equity among our black student population giving them early on-set tools for success.
Take a look at her recent interview with David Gordon.