ToolsCalculators
Adverse childhood experiences (ACE) score
Counts categories of childhood abuse, neglect, and household dysfunction.
Adverse childhood experiences (ACE) score
Recurrent emotional abuse
Recurrent physical abuse
Contact sexual abuse
Emotional neglect
Physical neglect
Mother/stepmother treated violently
Household substance abuse
Household mental illness or suicidality
Parental separation or divorce
Incarcerated household member
Result0 points
No adverse childhood experiences reported in these categories.
- Categories endorsed
- 0 of 10
When to use
- Screening for a history of childhood adversity linked to long-term health risk.
Formula
One point for each of 10 categories experienced before age 18: emotional, physical, and sexual abuse; emotional and physical neglect; and five markers of household dysfunction (witnessed domestic violence, substance abuse, mental illness, parental separation/divorce, incarcerated member). Range 0–10.
Pearls and pitfalls
- The score counts categories, not individual events — a category is scored once regardless of frequency.
- It is a population-level risk marker, not a diagnostic test for any individual.