Zoe Sinclair
June 29, 2026
Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are negative or stressful events a child may have experienced. ACEs are used in research to predict potential negative adult health, economic and educational impacts. The point of an ACEs score is not to predict someone’s future, or to assign blame, it is simply to add up the number of different traumatic events a person might have experienced prior to age 18 while not having the benefit of the buffering effects of stable, caring and nurturing relationships. The more adverse childhood experiences a person has, the greater the risk for cumulative, unbuffered stress and long-term health impacts; researchers often talk about “toxic burden” on a developing brain and body. Still, ACEs are not a person’s fate. Safe, stable, caring relationships can buffer stress and help individuals develop resilience. With stable relationships, counseling and community support, along with time and space, people can change their outcomes. ZK3ZSEPACEs are not destiny.