ACES
Pronunciation: AY-sess
Also written as: ACES — Adverse Childhood Experiences Scale
Adverse Childhood Experiences Scale, a screening tool measuring childhood trauma exposure.
Full Definition
The Adverse Childhood Experiences Scale (ACES) is a widely used assessment instrument that measures exposure to various forms of childhood trauma and household dysfunction. Developed from landmark CDC research, the ACES questionnaire evaluates ten categories of adverse experiences including physical, emotional, and sexual abuse, as well as household dysfunction such as domestic violence, substance abuse, and mental illness in the home. Higher ACES scores correlate with increased risk of mental health disorders, substance abuse, and chronic physical conditions in adulthood. The scale has become a standard screening tool in psychiatric and primary care settings for understanding patients' trauma history and informing treatment approaches.
Usage
Usage note: Always spell out as 'Adverse Childhood Experiences Scale' on first use, followed by '(ACES)'. The score is typically written as 'ACES score' not 'ACE score'.
In Context
- "The patient's ACES score of 7 indicated significant childhood trauma exposure requiring trauma-informed care approaches." — Treatment planning document
- "Routine ACES screening has been implemented across all intake assessments to identify patients with trauma histories." — Clinical policy manual