Adverse Childhood Experiences
Interface Training
Supports widespread awareness, promotes understanding, and empowers communities to improve health and well-being.
What are ACEs?
Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) are serious childhood traumas that compromise our mental and physical health. Although they occur in childhood, they can affect both adults and children.
Video: TEDx Talk: How childhood trauma affects health across a lifetime – How Common are ACEs Adverse Childhood Experiences | Dr. Nadine Burke Harris
The 10 ACEs
Where does it hurt?
Adverse Childhood Experiences can affect mental and physical health
ACEs are serious childhood traumas that cause toxic stress. Stress affects brain development in children, which can result in long-term mental health problems and health concerns into adulthood. Toxic stress in childhood can increase stress hormones, raising heart rate, blood pressure, breathing rate and muscle tension. When a child’s brain is busy trying to protect itself, there is no room left for learning, play, and emotional growth.
ACEs can increase the risk of:
- Asthma
- Alcohol and substance abuse
- Depression
- Liver Disease
- Heart Disease
- Intimate partner violence
- Sexually transmitted diseases
- Smoking
- Suicide attempts
- Unintended pregnancies
What to do about ACEs
History isn’t destiny. You can prevent ACEs in your children or start healing from your own. Building resilience, the ability to adapt to difficult situations, is the key to protecting yourself and your family from the effects of ACEs.
For Everyone
- Get between 7-8 hours of sleep per night
- Develop a daily healthy eating routine
- Get more active and exercise regularly
- Practice meditation or yoga
- Talk to a therapist
- Educate yourself on healthy living
- Stay hydrated by drinking more water
- Learn about intermittent fasting
- Google 'growth mindset' and be a doer
- Read or listen to audio books regularly
- Connect with family & friends more often
- Realize failure is part of learning and it is ok
For Parents
- Provide a safe and stable environment
- Get treatment so you don’t pass on your ACEs to your children
- Get help from friends, family, or support groups
- Understand your child’s needs and try to meet them
Helping children and adults heal from ACEs
It’s never too late to feel better. Whether a parent suffered adverse experiences in their own childhood or their child is affected now, there are simple ways to reboot the brain and create new pathways for healing.
It’s always the right time to get help
If you or your child has had adverse childhood experiences, start by talking to a trauma-informed therapist. In the meantime, find a support group, make time to exercise, prepare healthy meals, and practice mindfulness. Building resilience and finding support is key to recovery and enjoying a healthy life.
Springboard Community Services
Harford County Office
44 E. Gordon Street
Bel Air, MD 21014
410-838-9000
Reducing Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) Grant is funded through Harford County Government— Local Management Board
Relax, It’s Covered
We provide services regardless of your ability to pay. We accept most commercial insurance plans, as well as Medicare, Medicaid, and offer a sliding scale fee for those without insurance.
Harford County Office
44 East Gordon Street
Bel Air, MD 21014
Baltimore City Office
4623 Falls Road
Baltimore, MD 21209
*The Baltimore City location also serves Baltimore County.
Get Directions
410-366-1980
800-899-4601 (toll free)
Carroll County Office
22 North Court Street
Westminster, MD 21157
Our Main Number 410-669-9000
Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Springboard Community Services Family Support Center
7 Schoolhouse Avenue
Westminster, MD 21157
Howard County Office
10451 Twin Rivers Road, Suite 100
Columbia, MD 21044
*Howard County also serves Anne Arundel.
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