Page 31 - EdViewptsSpring2019-web

Dr. Bruce Perry and Dr. Nadine Burke important or special? or Your see the results of toxic stress and the
Harris, we in education are finally start- family didn’t look out for each ensuing malfunctioning stress response
ing to pay attention. other, feel close to each other, system in the forms of obesity, chal-
Between 1995 and 1997, Drs. Felitti or support each other? lenging behavior, violence, asthma, and
and Anda began to compile data related No__ If Yes, enter 1 __ even school shootings. Our communi-
to Adverse Childhood Experiences 5. Did you often or very often feel ties have seen enough and it is now
(ACEs). They eventually developed that… You didn’t have enough time to act. (Center on Developing
the ACE Questionnaire consisting of to eat, had to wear dirty clothes, Child, Harvard University).
10 questions to determine exposure to and had no one to protect you? Current research has provided a better
specific life experiences. From the data or Your parents were too drunk or understanding of the science to propel
collected, they were able to correlate high to take care of you or take us forward. Our communities are anx-
ACE scores with certain health condi- you to the doctor if you needed it? ious for us to act. A relationship-based,
tions and diseases. We now understand No__ If Yes, enter 1 __ trauma-informed approach may be just
that elevated ACE scores in children what the doctor ordered. The impor-
can cause a variety of health conditions 6. Were your parents ever tant components necessary to address
including growth and cognitive delays, separated or divorced? this important issue would include:
sleep disturbances, asthma, infections, No__ If Yes, enter 1 __ exercise, proper nutrition, adequate
heart disease, diabetes, learning dif- 7. Was your mother or stepmother: sleep, meditation, healthy relationships
ficulties, behavioral problems, obesity, Often or very often pushed, and mental healthcare. Schools can
violence and high-risk behavior in teens. grabbed, slapped, or had some- integrate this care by creating safety,
(The Deepest Well, p 35-37, 142-143). thing thrown at her? or Sometimes, helping students emotionally regulate,
Current research tells us about 62% of often, or very often kicked, bitten, relationship-building, creating predict-
the U.S. population has experienced 1 hit with a fist, or hit with something ability and routine, resiliency skills
or more ACEs and approximately 25% hard? or Ever repeatedly hit over at training, social-emotional learning and
have experienced 3 or more ACEs. least a few minutes or threatened post-traumatic growth. (echoparent-
(JAMA Pediatrics 2018). with a gun or knife? ing.org). Schools, however, cannot do

What Is Your ACE Score? No__ If Yes, enter 1 __ this alone. We need the cooperation of
the entire community, and we need to
See below to determine your ACE 8. Did you live with anyone who was begin with education and training. Ide-
a problem drinker or alcoholic, or
score: who used street drugs? ally, the best way to treat toxic stress
is through prevention. We must work
Prior to your 18th birthday: No__ If Yes, enter 1 __ together to find ways to reduce the
1. Did a parent or other adult in the 9. Was a household member stress and provide support to the buff-
household often or very often… depressed or mentally ill, or did ering adults in the lives of our at-risk
Swear at you, insult you, put you a household member attempt children. Toxic stress and trauma may
down, or humiliate you? or Act in suicide? be the most pressing public health is-
a way that made you afraid that No__ If Yes, enter 1 __ sue facing modern society today, and
you might be physically hurt? there is no time to waste!
No__ If Yes, enter 1 __ 10. Did a household member go to Further Supporting Our
prison?
2. Did a parent or other adult in No__ If Yes, enter 1 __ Students with High ACEs
the household often or very
often… Push, grab, slap, or throw Now add up your “Yes” answers: ____ Scores
something at you? or Ever hit you This is your ACE Score Students are exhibiting signs of toxic
so hard that you had marks or (AcesTooHigh.com) stress in schools, and teachers are
were injured? often ill-equipped to support students.
No__ If Yes, enter 1 __ What Does Your ACE Score We are seeing increasing numbers of
Mean?
3. Did an adult or person at least behavioral difficulties in our youngest
learners, many of these leading to vio-
5 years older than you ever… Students who experience multiple lent outbursts. Teachers want to better
Touch or fondle you or have ACEs without the support of a buffer- support students, but are often lacking
you touch their body in a sexual ing, caring adult relationship can
way? or Attempt or actually have cause what is known as toxic stress. the background knowledge and train-
oral, anal, or vaginal intercourse When very high levels of stress are ing to understand the “why” behind the
behavior. According to Dr. Bruce Perry,
with you? either continuous or severe in nature, a key component to healing is the
No___If Yes, enter 1 __ the stress-response system becomes building of healthy relationships. He
dysregulated and has trouble shutting
4. Did you often or very often feel itself off. As a result, long-term dam- says, “The more healthy relationships
that… No one in your family age can occur to the developing body a child has, the more likely he will be
loved you or thought you were and to the pathways in the brain. We to recover from trauma and thrive. Re-

Educational Viewpoints -29- Spring 2019