Stress Mountain

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Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)

Most people experience some type of trauma at some point in their childhood but what was largely unknown was the effect that had on the human body long term. From 1995-1997 The Center for Disease Control (CDC) and Kaiser-Permanente joined forces to study the connection between Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and health and well-being later in life. What was discovered has changed the direction of not only pediatrics and family medicine but of local services and education responses in many communities.
 
The CDC Kaiser study showed direct correlations between ACEs and negative long-term impacts throughout a person’s life. The brain was drastically affected by prolonged trauma or toxic stress. The trauma that determines ACEs is grouped into several categories including abuse, neglect, and household dysfunction. This training refers to the CDC Kaiser study repeatedly and for more detailed information you should visit https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/acestudy/about.html.

​Humans are capable of experiencing and working through three main kinds of stress. They range in complexity and severity from positive stress, to tolerable stress, and finally toxic stress. Some of this stress is necessary to create new neural pathways and synapses for brain development while others will actually harm or delete those new connections altogether. It is important to understand the types of stress and their impact on brain development to truly understand ACEs and why this is such groundbreaking research.​ 

First, let’s think of stress as a mountain. Positive stress is the slope moving up toward the top of the peak. It is normal, helpful and healthy. Tolerable stress is right at the top of the mountain. These are things that are common and do not pose a negative threat to development or well-being. When stress levels tilt toward the downward slope of the mountain because they are prolonged or too intense, the stress becomes toxic and harmful. ​  

Optional Resources for Further Study

• ​Childhood Stress by Kids Health
• STRESS: How positive, tolerable, and toxic stress impact the developing brain
• Alberta Family Wellness Video Resources

Course Navigation Menu

1. Course Agenda
2. Stress Mountain
3. Kinds of Stress
4. Effects of Stress
5. Comparing Stress (1/7)
6. Support Systems
7. Tightrope Walker (2/7)
8. The Brain
9. Brain Architecture
10. ACEs in Early Childhood

11. Blueprint for Brain Dev.
12. Nature vs Nurture ACEs (3/7)
13. Brain Growth and ACEs
14. Myelination
15. Brain Development (4/7)
16. Behavior and Brain 
17. Social and Emotional ACEs
18. Cognitive Function
19 ACEs and Development (5/7)
20. Where do we go from here?

21. Supportive Communities
22. Goals for Community Support
23. Supportive People
24. Supportive Families
25. Community Resources​ (6/7)
26. Building Resiliency
27. Trauma Informed Practice
28. Moving Forward
29. Quiz (7/7)
30. Evaluation Form​
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