ToolsCalculators
Adverse childhood experiences (ACE) score
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.