To ask what you’d make of an ACE score of 5?

[Staithes]

I did this test yesterday. I actually erred a bit in the side of caution - I answered no to one of the questions when I feel it could actually be yes - so if I’d answered yes it would be 6.

But anyway, as a conservative estimate, let’s say 5. Opinions? Is this considered high?

Yes, it is high. I would look at or for protective factors. If it's your child, there are lots of things which are protective factors around strong relationships. Building community around them is a good way to provide that.

I’ve seen this mentioned twice in threads today and didn’t know what it was, have just tried for myself and got a 4 which apparently considered high on the guidance, I didn’t have a particularly traumatic childhood in my opinion but guess majority must have had it easier. Can’t do anything about it now, things are what they are, unless you have having issues now from childhood trauma or the score relates to your own child rather than yourself I don’t think a high score really matters

I wouldn’t take it too seriously unless you’re seeing other signs that all isn’t well. There’s a fair amount of research challenging the discourse around ACEs and ACEs scores because it only considers one aspect of a child’s life, some of the measures are outdated and it doesn’t account for protective factors, child maturity (eg the age that a particular event occurred) and supports. It’s also too determinative in that there are many factors across the life course that impact our wellbeing - a high ACEs score doesn’t necessarily determine the course of an individual’s life.

Theres also some research that suggests a moderate score (I can’t remember the numbers possibly 3-5) supports the development of grit in children. I’ve know many people with high scores on paper to do very well and be very healthy, and people with low scores to be highly impacted by their experience. Basically it’s part of the picture but not the whole picture by far.

ACE scores are not meant to be diagnostic nor screening tools. As PP said, you need to consider additional things such as age and protective factors. If you feel your childhood has affected you, you could seek therapy or contact a GP if it is affecting your behaviour in ways that make you concerned for your health (for example, self-medicating). If you are worried about a child now, please make contact with professionals - an ACE score cannot tell you whether you should or should not act.

Thanks very much for all your responses - really appreciate them. I know the test isn’t perfect just from the questions. For instance - my parents never separated or died, but so I put no to that question, but I’d have felt much better - especially by the age of 15 - if my mum wasn’t there

That’s the thing - the list of adversities is both socially constructed (ie set in a time and context) and doesn’t reflect the complexities of life and relationships. What is very harmful to one person may not be to another. It’s a very blunt instrument but was hailed as the Second Coming in child development/child protection circles for a while.