By Rajnim Hussain
Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) are traumatic events which happen in a child’s life. It could be caused by one or more factors – such as neglect, growing up in an unstable home, or mental or physical abuse. This trauma can be lasting, which affects many aspects of our life - including relationships, a person’s sense of self and their future.
How ACEs Affect the Childhood Brain
A child’s brain is extremely sensitive and would often soak in everything like a sponge.
Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), including neglect, abuse and other stressful life factors, disrupt a child's developing brain. It causes the following:
- Dysregulated Stress Response System – the child’s brain goes into survival mode.
- Fight or Flight Mode – the child’s brain activates intense and stressful emotions signalling danger despite being in a safe situation.
- Memory and Learning – a child’s brain reduces in size, affecting their ability to study, learn and follow simple instructions.
Children who experience ACE’s need support to help them learn and manage their stress. It could follow them into adulthood if left untreated.
Physical health outcomes
Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) can greatly impact a child’s physical health. Stress weakens the immune system, which makes a child more prone to sickness. Studies show that life expectancy is shortened by 20 years for individuals who have experienced more than six ACEs compared to those who haven’t experienced ACEs.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19840693/
This is due to the following physical health issues
- Obesity – Chronic stress causes mood changes and coping mechanisms, such as overeating to help the individual manage their emotions. Over time, this leads to weight gain.
- Sleep issues – Constant chronic stress and worry can affect a child’s sleeping pattern as they are too worried to sleep.
- Acid reflux – Unhealthy eating habits and chronic stress can lead to digestive issues and chest and stomach pain. Children who face 3 or more ACEs are more likely to experience acid reflux.
Providing support for children who face ACEs can help combat physical health issues and improve their mental and physical health.
Mental Wellness Outcomes
ACEs impact the neurobiology and brain development of a child’s brain. This often leads to a child struggling with:
- Focusing
- Working memory
- Problem solving
- Regulating emotions
Emotional issues
Children who experience ACEs often have intense emotions such as anger, emptiness, worthlessness and shame. Without the necessary tools to manage the emotions, the individual may:
- Act up at school or at home
- Experience anxiety or panic attacks
- Withdraw from friends or family
- Struggle to make new friends and form healthy relationships
Helping children develop the tools to manage their emotions starts from home. A child needs a parent or caregiver to provide support and understanding to help them navigate life challenges. Children who grow up in a safe environment live a more fulfilling life – better grades, strong social connections and confidence.
Risky Behaviours
Children need to learn naturally and have fun, but ACEs can interrupt the process.
Traumatic events that impact the child’s mental health, causing intense emotions that are difficult to manage. This could lead to risky behaviours such as:
- Acting out in school
- Taking drugs
- Alcohol misuse
Parents need to give a child a loving environment to grow. If not, the child’s risky behaviour could follow on to adulthood, causing long-term health issues and other life struggles.
Socioeconomic impacts
Most children who experience ACEs often struggle to focus at school and may act out or withdraw from society. This is caused by childhood trauma such as physical, mental or financial abuse, which can affect their overall performance at school. This could play a role in affecting their adulthood, where they face issues such as:
- Unemployment
- Health issues
- Housing stability
- Financial instability
Children who experience ACEs may affect their self-esteem and confidence, which can lead to anxiety or depression. This may also affect their ability to build healthy relationships. These effects could impact a person’s daily life, often causing them to feel unsafe and unsupported in every situation. Providing support is essential for children to give them the best chance of a healthy adulthood.
Generational Trauma
ACEs have a higher rate of being passed down to the child of a parent who has experienced ACEs. This affects the child’s overall mental and physical health, increasing the possibilities of conditions including:
- Schizophrenia
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
- Depression
- Anxiety
Supporting both the children and parents helps them manage emotions and break generational trauma.
Protective Factors and Resilience
Protective factors can help an individual build resilience, which can prevent the long-term effects of ACEs. This helps a child cope better under stressful or traumatic situations.
The key protective factors for a child who needs to build resilience include:
- At least one stable relationship – a caring parent, a teacher or a caring adult.
- A safe environment – which could be a home, school or a community.
- Social environment – Access to activities which would help with self-esteem and peer networks.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7163854/
Public Health and Policy Impacts
Studies show that 50% of the population has experienced at least one ACE, whereas over 9% have experienced 3-4.
ACEs increase the risk of diseases and other health issues, which can affect individuals’ well-being. Currently, the UK spends up to 42.8 billion a year to support these impacts. The services include
- Art therapy
- Trauma-based therapy
- Trauma programs in school
- Mental health services
Healing and Recovery paths
Children who experience ACEs can recover through the right strategies.
It all starts from home.
Educating parents on good parenting skills can help a child receive a nurturing relationship and live a meaningful life.
Therapy is another tool that is used to heal ACEs. It allows the child to process trauma, find coping skills and build resilience.
There are also practical ways to heal from ACES. These include
- Activities such as yoga
- Meditation
- Colouring
These activities promote mindfulness, reduce stress and help children regulate their emotions, which is vital for those recovering from ACEs.
https://www.saferbradford.co.uk/media/hyii0nrt/preventing-and-healing-aces-166635406.pdf
https://www.talktoevolve.com/post/pathways-to-healing-from-adverse-childhood-experiences-aces
Action is the antidote to despair
ACEs can greatly affect a child’s health, behaviour and confidence, which could follow into adulthood. However, this can be prevented through early interventions and consistent support, thereby reducing these long-term consequences. Each child should have the chance to flourish, not just survive.
