ACES
Pronunciation: AY-sez
Also written as: ACES — Adverse Childhood Experiences
Adverse Childhood Experiences, traumatic events occurring before age 18 that impact long-term health outcomes.
Full Definition
A category of traumatic experiences including abuse, neglect, and household dysfunction that occur during childhood and adolescence. Research demonstrates strong correlations between ACE scores and negative health outcomes including mental illness, substance abuse, and chronic disease in adulthood. Healthcare editors must understand ACE screening and trauma-informed care principles are increasingly integrated into adolescent health services. Documentation should use sensitive language when describing traumatic experiences and emphasize resilience alongside risk factors.
Usage
Usage note: Use trauma-informed language when discussing ACEs in clinical contexts.
In Context
- "Routine ACES screening helps identify adolescents who may benefit from trauma-informed interventions." — Clinical screening protocol
- "The correlation between ACES scores and adolescent risk behaviors informs prevention strategies." — Public health research