Find Your ACE Score

What's Your ACE Score?

During the first 18 years of life:

1. Did a parent or other adult in the household often or very often...
Swear at you, insult you, put you down, or humiliate you?
OR
Act in a way that made you afraid that you might be physically hurt?
Yes/No If yes enter 1 ____

2. Did a parent or other adult in the household often or very often...
Push, grab, slap, or throw something at you?
OR
Ever hit you so hard that you had marks or were injured? Yes/No If yes enter 1 ____

3. Did an adult or person at least 5 years older than you ever...
Touch or fondle you or have you touch their body in a sexual way?
OR
Attempt or actually have oral, anal, or vaginal intercourse with you?
Yes/No If yes enter 1 ____

4. Did you often or very often feel that...
No one in your family loved you or thought you were important or special?
OR
Your family didn't look out for each other, feel close to each other, or support each other?
Yes/No If yes enter 1 ____

5. Did you often or very often feel that...
you didn't have enough to eat, had to wear dirty clothers, and had no one to protect you?
OR
Your parents were too drunk or high to take care of you or take you to the doctor if you needed it? Yes/No If yes enter 1 ____

6. Were you parents ever separated or divorced?
Yes/No If yes enter 1 ____

7. Was your mother or stepmother:
Often or very often pushed, grabbed, slapped, or had something thrown at her?
OR
Sometimes, often, or very often kicked, bitten, hit with a fist, or hit with something hard?
OR
Ever repeatedly hit at least a few minutes or threatened with a gun or knife?
Yes/No If yes enter 1 ____

8. Did you live with anyone who was a problem drinker, or alcoholic, or who used street drugs?
Yes/ No If yes enter 1 ____

9.Was a household member depressed or mentally ill, or did a household member attempt suicide? Yes/No If yes enter 1 ____

10. Did a household member go to prison?
Yes/No If yes enter 1 ____

Now add up your "Yes" answers: _______. This is you ACE score.

If your ACE score is 4 or over, you are at significant risk of future health problems. However... the good news is you can take steps now to minimise the negative effects of ACEs.

Like an albatross hung around your neck-

If your childhood was filled with abuse and neglect, or if you grew up in a dysfunctional family you know the heartache it can cause. Like a dead albatross hung around the neck, the stench of past problems lingers on.

The effects of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) do not just go away. The physical effects are well documented and wide ranging: chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, ischemic heart disease, chronic lung disease, liver disease, impaired brain development, diabetes, obesity, and more. Emotional effects of ACEs can result in poor self-image, nervousness, anxiety, anger, self-pity, depression, attempted suicide and more. In addition, there are spiritual effects. Bitterness toward God and others (Hebrews 12:15), unforgiveness, unbelief.

ACE Overcomers is a program designed to help you overcome the effects of adverse childhood experiences. It is based on The ACE Study of Dr. Vincent Felitti and the Centers for Disease Control and will enable you to overcome past adversity through biblical principles.

Follow this blog to gain insight on overcoming.