ACE Score Calculator

The original CDC-Kaiser Permanente study identified 10 types of childhood adversity (before age 18) that predict adult health outcomes. Your ACE score is the total number of categories you experienced — not a life sentence, but a starting point for understanding and healing.

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Abuse

Physical abuse — a parent or other adult in the household often or very often pushed, grabbed, slapped, or threw something at you, or hit you hard enough to leave marks

Emotional abuse — a parent or other adult often swore at you, insulted you, humiliated you, or put you down

Sexual abuse — an adult or person at least 5 years older ever touched or fondled you in a sexual way, or made you touch their body sexually, or had oral/anal/vaginal intercourse with you

Neglect

Physical neglect — you often or very often didn't have enough to eat, had to wear dirty clothes, or had no one to protect you

Emotional neglect — you often felt that no one in your family loved you or thought you were important, or your family didn't look out for each other or feel close

Household Dysfunction

Domestic violence — you often saw or heard your mother or stepmother being pushed, grabbed, slapped, or threatened with a weapon

Household substance use — you lived with someone who was a problem drinker, alcoholic, or who used street drugs

Household mental illness — a household member was depressed, mentally ill, or attempted suicide

Parental separation or divorce — your parents were ever separated or divorced

Incarcerated household member — a household member went to prison

out of 10

Associated health risks (from the original study)

ACE score is not destiny

Resilience factors — stable relationships, access to therapy, community support, and self-awareness — powerfully buffer ACE effects at every score level. Many people with high ACEs live healthy, connected lives.