Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) has been well researched for over 30 years, and its impact on our children and teens is becoming more and more evident. As a mental health professional serving children and families, I have sat across from many anxious parents seeking support for their child who recently experienced a potentially traumatic event. Abuse or neglect, violence, a loved one dying by suicide, and growing up in a home with substance abuse, mental health issues, or parental separation, otherwise known as ACEs (Adverse Childhood Experiences), come to mind. Did you know that whether an event results in trauma is dependent on a variety of factors? Two people of the same demographics can experience the same exact event but perceive and respond to that experience very differently.
Tallying up your or your child’s ACEs can feel scary, discouraging, or hopeless. But it doesn’t have to end with ACEs. Seeking support from mental health professionals for both children and their families when facing adverse childhood experiences can provide a lifeline. Trauma-informed mental health professionals utilizing evidence-based treatment modalities such as Play Therapy can be invaluable resources in the aftermath of these events. Want to know what role you, as parents and caregivers, can play? Research has shown a variety of protective factors on the individual, family, and community levels that combat the effects of ACEs by growing resilience. These protective factors can not only provide comfort to parents/caregivers of children with ACEs scores, but can also serve as preventative measures against the effects of trauma. Encouraging the following for your child/family are small steps with potential for BIG impact!
Steps to Create a Big Impact With Your Children
1. Meaningful Connections
Meaningful connections: having a parent/caregiver who provides unconditional love, positive peer networks, having positive role models and relationships with adults outside of the family. Connection is an innate human need, and research has shown is a key component to overcoming adverse childhood experiences.
2. Involvement
Involvement:Â being actively involved in social groups, having a hobby, playing sports and engaging in physical activity, finding empowerment through helping others. These social connections and participation provides another layer of connection.
3. Positive/Safe Home Environment
Positive/Safe Home Environment:Â having adequate food and housing, parents who provide supervision, having consistent/fair rules and routines, implementing positive parenting skills, having community supports for parents and families. Children respond favorably when they have a felt sense of safety and belonging.
4. Personal Development
Personal Development:Â ensuring children have plenty of opportunities to learn, promoting the development of problem-solving skills, emotion identification and regulation skills, self-identity formation, culture, social skills, and autonomy. Ultimately, ACEs do not flourish when children are provided ample opportunities to develop in all domains: social-emotional, cognitive, physical and spiritual.
If you’re interested in learning more about promoting resilience in children, or overcoming the effects of adverse childhood experiences, check out the following resources:
