Additional Resources

• SAMHSA: Trauma and Violence
• National Institute of Mental Health: Coping with Traumatic Events
• Mental Health America: Understanding Trauma and PTSD

Adverse Childhood Experiences

Trauma or toxic stress during childhood is called Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs). ACEs happen between the ages of 1 and 18. ACEs are common. Every 2 out of 3 adults have had at least one. These experiences can make it harder to manage everyday life. Youth may struggle with things like focusing on tasks at home, learning in school, and navigating healthy relationships.

Examples of ACEs:

• Physical or emotional abuse, and neglect
• Exposure to domestic violence or disputes
• Household dysfunction in relationships or mental health
• Parental separation
• Household member incarceration

ACEs can affect a person's health and well-being as they grow up.

ACEs are linked to struggles like:

• Mental health struggles
• Substance use
• Autoimmune disease
• Long-term heart or lung disease

But there is good news! ACEs do not always lead to unhealthy outcomes. There have been studies that help build strong connections to better outcomes.

Additional Resources

• Kaiser Permanente ACEs
• PACEs Connections
• TED Talk Nadine Burke Harris: How childhood trauma affects health across a lifetime

Young people face challenges as they grow up. Some challenges are normal, like learning to manage friendships, homework, growing and changing bodies, and planning for the future. It’s important to understand that not all stress is toxic stress. And not all stress leads to trauma. Normal stress, such as temporary or manageable reactions to daily childhood challenges, helps build resilient adults.

Additional Resources

• What is Trauma? Stress vs. Trauma

NEAR Science

Neurobiology, Epigenetics, Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), and Resilience.

This approach helps gain an understanding of childhood experiences. It studies adverse effects on the brain and overall health. NEAR Science also studies how positive experiences create healing and resilience.
This framework combines knowledge from several fields of study. This helps understand the long-term impact of childhood experiences on health, behavior, and mental well-being.

Neurobiology

This is the study of the brain and nervous system. Adverse experiences like abuse, neglect, and exposure to violence can affect brain development. Chronic stress during childhood development can alter brain structures and functions. This can lead to issues with learning, memory, emotional regulation, and decision-making. As a result, the brain’s stress response systems can become overactive. Increasing the risk of mental health challenges and chronic diseases.

Epigenetics

This is the study of how environmental factors can influence gene expression. It explores how early trauma or adversity can change genes. These experiences can potentially lead to changes in the body’s stress response system and immune system. Those changes can increase the chances of chronic disease. Biological changes can be passed down across generations.

Adverse Childhood Experiences

ACEs are traumatic events that happen in childhood. (SEE ABOVE)

Resilience

The ability to bounce back from hard experiences and keep moving forward. Resilience is learning to thrive despite challenges. Adding protective factors can help youth and adults overcome the negative effects of ACEs. Those can be supportive relationships, helpful community resources, and healthy coping skills. Resilience isn’t perfect. It means growing, learning, and adapting even when life is challenging.

Positive Childhood Experiences (PCEs or PACEs)

Resilience is built through Positive Childhood Experiences. These are positive experiences with others and having safe, supportive places in your life. PACEs help balance the hard experiences.
When youth have trusting relationships and encouraging experiences, it supports healthy growth. While these positive experiences cannot erase trauma, they can lessen the effects of ACEs and help people learn healthy ways to cope.

Examples of PACEs:

• Sense of belonging and protection at home, in school, or community.
• Feeling supported in school, at work, or by community organizations.
• Positive relationships with peers and mentors.
• Engaging in activities promoting social, emotional, and cognitive growth.

Activities that build PACEs:

• Having safe, supportive adults like coaches, teachers, or mentors.
• Safe community environments to play and interact with, like parks, skate parks, or walking trails.
• Having accessible community centers, like after-school programs or places for indoor activities.
• Teaching youth to identify feelings and how to use healthy coping skills.

Additional Resources

• Healthy Outcomes from Positive Experiences
• ACEs & Trauma: PCEs

It is important to understand how PACEs impact a person. This helps to see the whole picture. Both positive and adverse childhood experiences can have a profound impact on lifelong health and well-being.
We provide resources on ACEs and positive lifestyle factors that can protect children from the potentially harmful effects of ACEs. Also, one of our partner organizations, the Kittitas County Health Network, provides free ACEs training.

Stress Busters

• https://www.pacesconnection.com/ws/Handouts_StressBusters_National_EN.pdf
• https://www.pacesconnection.com/ws/Handouts_StressBusters_California_SP.pdf

Additional Resources

• https://www.acesaware.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/ACE-Questionnaire-for-Adults-Identified-English-rev.7.26.22.pdf
• https://acestoohigh.com/got-your-ace-score/
• https://www.pacesconnection.com/blog/aces-101-faqs
• https://preventioncoe.ohio.gov/learn-and-grow/center-blog/184-aces-paces-pces