Experiences shape our
brains. A landmark American study
in the 1990s found that the more
adverse childhood experiences
(ACEs) a person has, the higher the
risk later in life of health and social
problems. Dr. Rob Anda, a co-
investigator of the study now with
ACE Interface, calls ACEs “a pathway
to disease.”
A recent study by the Alberta
Centre for Child, Family and
Community Research grouped ACEs
into three categories: abuse, neglect
and family dysfunction before the
age of 18.
The effect of childhood adversitydepends on the support and carechildren have from adults. Whenan adult helps a child in a sensitiveway, adversity may have no effect atall. For example, a preschooler mayget upset when his parents argue,but their occasional disagreementsprobably won’t have any permanenteffect on his brain, especially if he
When ACEs
are too high
Toxic stress can make it
harder for children reach
their potential
sees them make up. On the otherhand, if his parents are constantlyand bitterly fighting about moneyand ignoring him, this is an exampleof an ACE and can lead to brain-altering toxic stress.
Growing up, we all need to
experience positive and tolerable
stress. These types of stress help us
learn how to cope with life’s ups and
downs. But when stress becomes toxic
because of abuse, neglect and family
dysfunction, it becomes harmful to
young brains. And when toxic stress
changes brain architecture, children
and young adults have a harder time
reaching their potential and can face
a number of problems as adults.
Photo:Amanda Worrall
