🛡️ What Are ACEs — And Why Childhood Trauma Impacts Lifelong Health
What Are ACEs — And Why Childhood Trauma Impacts Lifelong Health
By Dr. Marie Akers, DNP, APRN, PPCNP-BC, PMHNP-BC, PMHS
Founder of SHIELD Psychiatry | Concierge Pediatric & Adolescent Mental Health
What Are ACEs?
Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) are stressful or traumatic events that occur before the age of 18. These include various forms of abuse, neglect, and household dysfunction, such as:
- Physical or emotional abuse
- Sexual abuse
- Parental separation or divorce
- Exposure to substance use, incarceration, or mental illness in the home
- Neglect (physical or emotional)
- Witnessing domestic violence
The original CDC-Kaiser Permanente ACE Study found that these early adversities can shape a child’s development at the neurological, emotional, and biological level—with effects that often extend into adulthood.
Who Is Affected by ACEs?
ACEs can happen to any child, but certain groups are more vulnerable:
- Children in foster care or child welfare systems
- Youth exposed to community violence or racial trauma
- Children living in poverty
- LGBTQ+ and BIPOC children
According to the National Survey of Children’s Health, nearly 1 in 2 children in the U.S. has experienced at least one ACE, and over 20% have experienced two or more.
How to Recognize ACEs in Children
Children may not always verbalize their trauma, but their behavior often signals distress.
🚩 Common Signs of ACE Exposure:
- Emotional: Anxiety, depression, irritability, low self-worth
- Behavioral: Aggression, withdrawal, hyperactivity, risk-taking
- Cognitive: Trouble focusing, memory issues, academic decline
- Physical: Sleep issues, stomachaches, headaches, bedwetting
Note: Children with ACEs are sometimes misdiagnosed with ADHD, ODD, or bipolar disorder when in fact their symptoms are trauma-driven.
What Are the Long-Term Effects of ACEs?
Trauma doesn’t just hurt emotionally — it rewires the brain and alters the body. Studies show that early adversity increases risk for both mental and physical health problems later in life.
🧬 Mental Health Risks:
- Depression and anxiety
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Substance use disorders
- Eating disorders
- Increased suicide risk
🫀 Physical Health Risks:
- Heart disease, cancer, and stroke
- Chronic lung conditions (asthma, COPD)
- Diabetes and obesity
- Autoimmune conditions
- Shortened life expectancy
Individuals with 4+ ACEs are:
- 12x more likely to attempt suicide
- 7x more likely to develop alcohol use disorder
- 2–4x more likely to experience major chronic illness
Can the Effects of ACEs Be Reversed?
Yes — resilience can be built. With early, trauma-informed care and supportive relationships, children can recover and thrive. The human brain is plastic, meaning it can heal and rewire in safe environments.
Protective Factors That Help:
- Stable relationships with nurturing adults
- Access to high-quality mental health care
- Structured, consistent daily routines
- Social-emotional skill building
- Evidence-based therapy (CBT, DBT, trauma-informed modalities)
How SHIELD Psychiatry Helps Families Heal
At SHIELD Psychiatry, we specialize in identifying and supporting youth with trauma histories. Our services include:
- Screening for ACEs and trauma symptoms
- Individualized psychiatric evaluations
- Therapy with trauma-informed care frameworks
- Concierge-level access to care for ages 5–25
- Parent coaching and education
Our philosophy: No child should carry trauma alone — and no parent should feel helpless in the face of it.
Let’s Protect Young Minds, Together
Every child deserves a safe space to grow. If you’re concerned your child has experienced trauma or is showing signs of distress, early intervention is key.
📅 Schedule a confidential consultation
📩 Or contact us to learn more about trauma-informed care for your child or teen.
📚 References:
- Felitti, V.J., Anda, R.F., et al. (1998). The ACE Study. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 14(4), 245–258.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). ACEs Prevention Resource.
- National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN). Caring for Children Who Have Experienced Trauma.
- Pew Charitable Trusts (2023). The Impact of ACEs on Public Health and Policy.
