By Jessica LeTarte, Echo Parenting
In an effort to bring the best information and tools to our participants, Echo will be introducing the Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) survey and a corresponding resiliency survey into our parenting classes. The surveys can be used at each participant’s discretion to raise awareness about their childhood experiences and those of their children.
What are ACEs are why are we talking about them?
Throughout childhood, but especially in the early years, there is a tremendous opportunity to build children’s social and emotional health as well as their ability to learn and do well in school and life. However, without the proper interactions and support, children who are exposed to adverse experiences (such as loss of a parent through death or divorce) don’t have a buffer against toxic stress and can suffer life-long consequences.
The term ‘ACEs’ comes from the CDC-Kaiser Adverse Childhood Experiences Study, a groundbreaking public health study that discovered that childhood trauma leads to the adult onset of chronic diseases, such as cancer and heart disease, as well as mental illness, violence, and being a victim of violence. Children who have adverse experiences early in life and over long periods of time can also develop a 
complex array of behavioral problems: trouble with anger, regulating emotions, paying attention, and anxiety. Later in life, these experiences can also lead failure to achieve in school, higher risk of teen pregnancies, substance abuse, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, poverty, criminality, mental illness and ultimately an early death.
complex array of behavioral problems: trouble with anger, regulating emotions, paying attention, and anxiety. Later in life, these experiences can also lead failure to achieve in school, higher risk of teen pregnancies, substance abuse, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, poverty, criminality, mental illness and ultimately an early death.But here is the good news!
The brain is continually changing in response to the environment. Provided with the proper supports, including a safe, stable nurturing relationship with a caregiver, the brain can slowly undo many of the stress-induced changes. This means that there is hope for children who have dealt with adverse experiences, as well as the adults who care for them.
Parents and caregivers who come to Echo’s classes are already taking a step towards ensuring their children’s emotional, social, and physical health. We may not always be able to protect children from the harms they may encounter inside and outside of the home, however, by being able to provide emotional support and a deeply loving connection with children, caregivers can help build the resiliency that will protect children in the future.
So why take the ACEs survey?
Knowing your ACEs score (and the corresponding resiliency score) is part of creating the coherent narrative of your childhood. Often, experiences that create toxic stress have been dismissed or considered part of everyday life. The first ACEs question asks ‘Did a parent or other adult in the house often or very often swear at you, insult you, put you down, or humiliate you?’ Many of us could give a resounding “Yes!” to that question and without really understanding how harmful these things can be, may fall into the same patterns when it comes to parenting our own children.
Echo has always taught that there is another way – a nonviolent, non-toxic way of raising children. If you haven’t yet checked out our classes, we hope that you will come join us one Saturday. In the meantime, if you can’t wait to check your ACEs score, you can find both the ACEs survey and the resiliency survey here.
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