The Assessment

The ACEs Quiz

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) shape the foundation of your nervous system. Understanding your score is the first step to returning to your original design.

What are ACEs?

The CDC-Kaiser Permanente ACE study is one of the largest investigations into childhood abuse and neglect and their link to later-life health and well-being.

An ACE score is a tally of different types of abuse, neglect, and other hallmarks of a rough childhood. According to the Adverse Childhood Experiences study, the rougher your childhood, the higher your score is likely to be and the higher your risk for later health problems.

The Statistics

61%
of adults surveyed across 25 states reported they had experienced at least one ACE.
1 in 6
adults reported they had experienced four or more types of ACEs.
Impact
High ACE scores are linked to chronic health problems, mental illness, and substance use problems in adulthood.

Take the Quiz

Read each question carefully. Check the box if you experienced the event prior to your 18th birthday. Your answers are private and are not saved or transmitted anywhere.

1.Did a parent or caregiver in the household often or very often swear at you, insult you, put you down, or humiliate you? or act in a way that made you afraid?

2.Did a parent or caregiver in the household often or very often push, grab, slap, or throw something at you? or ever hit you so hard that you had marks or were injured?

3.Did a caregiver or person at least 5 years older than you ever touch or fondle you or have you touch their body in a sexual way? or attempt or actually have oral, anal, or vaginal intercourse with you?

4.Did you often or very often feel that no one in your family loved you or thought you were important or special? or your family didn't look out for each other, feel close to each other, or support each other?

5.Did you often or very often feel that you didn't have enough to eat, had to wear dirty clothes, and had no one to protect you? or your parents or caregivers were too drunk or high to take care of you or take you to the doctor if you needed it?

6.Were your parents or caregivers ever separated or divorced, or did you experience the loss of a parent or caregiver?

7.Was a parent or caregiver often or very often pushed, grabbed, slapped, or had something thrown at them? or sometimes, often, or very often kicked, bitten, hit with a fist, or hit with something hard? or ever repeatedly hit over at least a few minutes or threatened with a gun or knife?

8.Did you live with anyone who was a problem drinker or alcoholic, or who used street drugs?

9.Was a household member depressed or mentally ill, or did a household member attempt suicide?

10.Did a household member go to prison or serve any jail time?