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What are Adverse Childhood Experiences ? (ACEs)

ACEs & Chronic Disease

The link between Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and chronic disease processes are due to interrelated factors: dysregulation of the stress response causes chronic inflammation, also changing brain neurodevelopment which then increases the likelihood to engage in risky and impulsive behaviour. 
Hear from developmental trauma expert, Gabor Mate here.
The Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) Study was a groundbreaking research project by the CDC and Kaiser Permanente in the 1990s. It showed that what happens to us in childhood deeply affects our health and well-being as adults.Below are the 10 listed ACE criteria. People with an ACE score of 4 of higher have a much higher likelihood of developing serious health problems later in life compared to those with few or no ACEs, physically and mentally, tying to the underlying development of the nervous system. These people are also much more likely to engage in riskier behaviour and struggle with substance abuse.
  • Physical abuse – Being physically hurt, hit, or assaulted by a parent or adult in the household.
  • Emotional abuse – Being frequently insulted, humiliated, or made to feel worthless by a parent or adult.
  • Sexual abuse – Experiencing sexual contact or advances from an adult or older person.
  • Physical neglect – Not having enough food, clean clothes, or a safe place to live.
  • Emotional neglect – Not feeling loved, supported, or cared for emotionally.
  • Mother treated violently – Seeing your mother or mother figure being physically abused.
  • Household substance abuse – Living with someone who abused alcohol or drugs.
  • Household mental illness – Living with someone who was depressed, suicidal, or had another mental illness.
  • Parental separation or divorce – Parents separating or getting divorced.
  • Incarcerated household member – Having a household member go to jail or prison.

NARM - Understanding Developmental Trauma (0-18 years)


The NeuroAffective Relational Model® (NARM®) is an approach to working with the effects of complex and developmental trauma. Developmental trauma is relational ruptures that impact the nervous system between the ages of 0-18 years old. NARM addresses these impacts by focusing on the patterns of disconnection that form early in life and continue to shape our adult experiences.
At the heart of NARM is a recognition of the innate human drive toward connection, aliveness, and wholeness—a drive that fuels the healing process in NARM.
Explore free media from NARM here. Below are the 5 Adaptive Survival Styles as outlined by NARM (2025), children often develop 1-2 of these as their core adaptations to childhood adversity. 






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