ACE Score, ADHD and Chronic Illness

Nov. 3, 2012 - PRLog -- What is your ACE score? What is ACE? Well ACE stands for adverse childhood events. After my post on adopted children someone commented on the possible relationship of ACEs with the pathology seen with some foreign adopted children. I vaguely remembered the study that led to the use of ACE score in many practices, therapist offices, etc. Many years ago, a researcher studying obesity find a strong relationship between obesity, poor response to treatment or diets and adverse childhood events. This led to more research and the developement of the ACE score.
The score looks at 10 childhood traumas:
Prior to your 18th birthday:

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 __
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
NoIf Yes, enter 1 __
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
NoIf Yes, enter 1 __
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
NoIf Yes, enter 1 __
Did you often or very often feel that … You didn’t have enough to eat, had to wear dirty clothes, 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
NoIf Yes, enter 1 __
Was a biological parent ever lost to you through divorce, abandonment, or other reason ?Yes
NoIf Yes, enter 1 __
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 over at least a few minutes or threatened with a gun or knife?Yes
NoIf Yes, enter 1 __
Did you live with anyone who was a problem drinker or alcoholic, or who used street drugs?Yes
NoIf Yes, enter 1 __
Was a household member depressed or mentally ill, or did a household member attempt suicide?Yes
NoIf Yes, enter 1 __
Did a household member go to prison?Yes
NoIf Yes, enter 1 __

Now add up your “Yes” answers: _ This is your ACE Score
The higher the score the higher your risk to develop a chronic disease such as diabetesor heart disease, emotional and social problems. The CDC's Adverse Childhood Experiences Study found that an ACE score of 4 or more was associated with a significant chance of having a chronic disease or emotional problem.
If you think about it many children diagnosed with ADHD may actually have a high number of adverse events which have led to their symptoms. So do they actually have ADHD? Many physicians actually incorporate features of the ACE score in their history. I feel it is extremely important that children and adults with symptoms of ADHD are asked these questions. It may be that perhaps therapy used for PTSD may need to be incorporated in the treatment plan.
Have you added up your score? For more information go to:
http://acestoohigh.com/got-your-ace-score/ and learn more.
Are you interested in ADHD coaching for yourself or child/ student? Give me a call at 614 216 2283 or email me at info@ao-coachandorganizer.com. As alway, I welcome your comments!


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