Adverse Childhood Experiences

ACEs (Adverse Childhood Experiences) are serious childhood traumas.

Prolonged exposure to ACEs can create toxic stress, which can damage the developing brain and body of children, may prevent a child from learning or playing in a healthy way with other children, and can cause long term health problems.

ACEs (Adverse Childhood Experiences) can include:

• Family separation or divorce.
• A parent or carer that suffers with any mental health issues.
• A close family member serving time in prison.
• Witnessing a household member hurting or threatening to hurt each other.
• Feeling that a household member may physically or emotionally hurt you.

• The household has experienced times of hardship due to lack of food, warmth and basic needs of housing and safety.
• Someone has slapped, hit or thrown something at a child so hard that the child was injured or marks were left.
• Child often feels unloved or unsupported.
• Living with a someone that has an issue with drugs and/or drinking.