What Are ACES? | Social & Emotional Learning: The Arts for Every Classroom

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are defined by the Centers for Disease Control as potentially traumatic events or circumstances, such as witnessing a mother’s abuse, a parent’s incarceration, or household poverty. The term was coined after a 1995 study found that the more adverse childhood experiences a person has, the more likely they will experience negative mental and physical health outcomes, such as depression and high blood pressure. Prevention of ACEs is now a priority for public health agencies.