Taking our ACE history can be a powerful first step to understanding our stories, healing ourselves, and helping the children in our lives.
These ten ACEs are not the only forms of childhood adversity. Other things, like racism, discrimination (against LGBTQ communities or people with disabilities, for example), poverty, immigration, natural disaster, and violence in our community are just as important for us to understand if they are part of our stories.
In fact, if your number is a 0 it doesn’t necessarily mean you didn’t experience childhood adversity. It just means you may have dealt with things not measured by the original ACEs study.
Whatever your score turns out to be, we encourage you to explore the healing strategies and support offered here.
*Please note: For some of us, taking our ACE history might bring up painful memories and feelings. If you start to feel triggered or anxious, take a break. We’ve got some tools right here to help you get grounded again.
Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) Questionnaire
Our early childhood experiences can affect our health and well-being as adults. In fact, traumatic childhood experiences are surprisingly common (roughly two-thirds of us have lived through at least one). To find out the number of ACEs you’ve experienced according to the original ACEs study, click Get Started.
Please answer “yes” or “no” based on whether or not you experienced the following events prior to your 18th birthday.
Prior to your 18th birthday,
Did you feel that you didn't have enough to eat, had to wear dirty clothes, or had no one to protect or take care of you?
Prior to your 18th birthday,
Did you lose a parent through divorce, abandonment, death, or other reason?
Prior to your 18th birthday,
Did you live with anyone who was depressed, mentally ill, or attempted suicide?
Prior to your 18th birthday,
Did you live with anyone who had a problem with drinking or using drugs, including prescription drugs?
Prior to your 18th birthday,
Did your parents or adults in your home ever hit, punch, beat, or threaten to harm each other?
Prior to your 18th birthday,
Did you live with anyone who went to jail or prison?
Prior to your 18th birthday,
Did a parent or adult in your home ever swear at you, insult you, or put you down?
Prior to your 18th birthday,
Did a parent or adult in your home ever hit, beat, kick, or physically hurt you in any way?
Prior to your 18th birthday,
Did you feel that no one in your family loved you or thought you were special?
Prior to your 18th birthday,
Did you experience unwanted sexual contact (such as fondling or oral/anal/vaginal intercourse/penetration)?
Thank you for completing the ACE questionnaire.
Your number is
Here's what you should know first: that number above does not define you.
It's a clue to give you insight into your own personal story. Where that story leads is entirely up to you.
When you're ready, we encourage you to click here. You'll find helpful information and suggestions on what to do next to help you craft the next chapter of your life.
If taking your ACE history has made you feel anxious or triggered, here are some Grounding Tools to help your body regulate. We also have Crisis Resources here if you want to talk to someone right now.
A number is not always a number. Click the video to see what we mean.