Building Resilience: Reducing the Impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences

The development of young children can be disrupted by repeated stress because stress triggers a response which changes the chemistry of their bodies (National Scientific Council on the Developing Child (NSCDC), 2014). Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) is used to describe stressful or traumatic experiences which threaten children's development. The degree to which children are impacted by ACEs varies due to a variety of factors such as age and gender, severity and duration of exposure, and the presence or absence of supportive adults. ACEs create risk but are not fate. However, there is evidence that toxic stress does have the potential to impact a child's future outcomes (Centers for Disease Control Vital Signs, 2019; Tennessee Department of Health, 2015). Brain development is at the highest level during the early years. Stress can be damaging to health and well-being if activated too often or for too long (toxic stress). Adrenaline and cortisol are produced in response to stress and prepare the body to respond to adversity. Sustained or frequent stress can lead to impairment in brain architecture and developing organs affecting learning, memory, and self-regulation (NSCDC, 2014; NSCDC, 2020). ACEs are preventable. Safe, stable, and nurturing relationships help children reach their potentials and reduce the likelihood and harm linked to ACEs (CDC, 2019). Resilience is built by supplying safe environments, giving caring attention, building trusting relationships, listening to feelings, responding in positive ways, and providing opportunities for success (Pizzolongo & Hunter, 2011).