Adverse Childhood Experiences

A term originated by the Centers for Disease Control in reference to 10 specific types of family trauma occurring during childhood. Associated with increased risk for a wide range of negative life outcomes spanning health, education, employment, substance abuse, victimization and early death. Organized around a widely used screening instrument that has more recently been expanded to include additional forms of adversity occurring outside the home including peer victimization and rejection, community violence, poverty and discrimination.