Trauma
Childhood experiences
10–11 questions · 3 min
This questionnaire asks about ten kinds of difficult experiences that some people had while growing up, such as not being cared for, living with someone who struggled with drinking, or being hurt at home. Doctors use it because experiences like these can affect health later in life.
The number simply counts which kinds of experience happened, not how often or how much they affected you. It describes your past, not a score to improve. Experiences in childhood are just one part of a person’s life story, and there are many ways to heal throughout life.
Taking tests is free. Your results unlock with a free 7-day trial.
What it shows
How many of ten kinds of difficult experience happened in your childhood.
What it doesn’t
A measure of how much those experiences affected you, or a diagnosis of any kind.
Who it’s for
This questionnaire may be useful if you’re curious how your early life might connect with your health today, or if a doctor or therapist has mentioned ACEs. It can also help you name experiences that are hard to put into words, for example before talking to someone about them.
Only take it when it feels right for you. Some questions are about painful experiences, and you can stop at any point and come back later.
Questions people ask
What is an ACE score?
It’s a count, from 0 to 10, of how many of ten kinds of difficult experience happened before you turned 18. It doesn’t measure how often something happened or how much it affected you.
What experiences does it ask about?
It asks about being hurt, put down or touched sexually against your will, not being cared for or feeling unloved, and difficulties at home, such as losing a parent, violence between adults, or living with someone who drank heavily, used drugs, had a mental illness or went to prison.
What does a score of 4 or more mean?
Doctors pay closer attention from four or more, because experiences like these can affect health later in life. It isn’t a diagnosis or a prediction about your future, and a doctor or therapist can talk with you about how these experiences may be affecting you, whenever you feel ready.
Can I retake it?
There’s no need. The questions are about your childhood, so your answers won’t change over time.
Who developed the ACE questionnaire?
It’s based on the Adverse Childhood Experiences study by Vincent Felitti, Robert Anda and colleagues in 1998. This version was prepared in 2020 by an advisory committee of doctors for California’s Surgeon General.
What if I’m struggling right now?
If you might hurt yourself, call your local emergency number now. You can find free, confidential helplines in your country at findahelpline.com.
Where it comes from
Based on the Adverse Childhood Experiences study by Vincent Felitti, Robert Anda and colleagues in 1998, in a version prepared by an advisory committee of doctors for California’s Surgeon General in 2020.
Adverse Childhood Experience Questionnaire for Adults
On iPhone or iPad?
Sprout is an app there too, and this link opens the test straight away if you have it.
Coming soon to the App Store