Adverse Childhood Experiences

Research into Adverse Childhood Experiences started in the US during the late 90's. The research found that Adverse Childhood Experiences were associated with poorer mental health, physical health, higher levels of problematic drinking and drug abuse. It is highly likely that children in the care system would have experienced at least one Adverse Childhood Experience.

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE)

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) describe a wide range of traumatic and stressful experiences that can occur from conception to the age of 18, they include:

Child Abuse: Physical, Emotional and Sexual Abuse
Neglect: Physical and Emotional
House Dysfunction: Mental Health, Incarcerated relative, Domestic Abuse, Substance Misuse

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) refer to some of the most intensive and frequently occurring sources of stress that children may suffer early in life. And can take many forms:

Physical abuse
Sexual Abuse
Emotional Abuse
Living with someone who abused drugs
Living with someone who abused alcohol
Exposure to domestic violence
Living with someone who has gone to prison
Living with someone with serious mental illness
Losing a parent through divorce, death or abandonment

When children are exposed to adverse and stressful experiences, it can have a long-lasting impact on their ability to think, interact with others and on their learning.

It has been shown that considerable and prolonged stress in childhood has life-long consequences for their health and well-being, with negative behaviours often being used unconsciously as protective solutions to unrecognised problems dating back to childhood.

ACEs can be prevented – research has found that a relationship with one trusted adult during childhood can mitigate the impacts of ACEs on mental and physical well-being.

How Adverse Childhood Experiences affect outcomes for children

There is a lot of research linking Adverse Childhood Experiences to problems in adulthood: such as poor Physical or Mental Health, increased risk of self-harming, lower engagement with school, teenage pregnancy, becoming perpetrators of violence, or an increased risk of offending. However, it does not mean that if a child experiences an Adverse Childhood Experiences that these poor outcomes are inventible. There are things that people who work with these children and young people can do.

Theories behind the mechanics

The current thinking around Adverse Childhood Experiences is that children adapt to their environment, so the behaviour at the time projects them from injury. However, the behaviour is maladaptive in normal situations.

Children who suffer from Adverse Childhood Experiences are more likely to have changes in three parts of the brain; Reward, Threat and Memory systems. Therefore, a child who had an Adverse Childhood Experience might react badly to normal situations.

Responding to Adverse Childhood Experiences/ Trauma

There is often overlap between Adverse Childhood Experiences and Trauma. The UK Trauma Council have produced a range of resources to support frontline workers in spotting the signs and how to respond effectively to behaviour.

The key is maintaining current boundaries within your setting, but take a pause before reacting, and attempt to promote recovery and promote resilience with the child. This is not an easy process, but can help to support the child. We recommend that you watch the five minute video and explore UK Trauma Council website.

https://uktraumacouncil.org/resources/childhood-trauma-and-the-brain

Cookies on the Tameside Safeguarding Children Partnership website

Adverse Childhood Experiences