Self-assessment

The ACE Survey

A short, private questionnaire that helps you understand your own exposure to Adverse Childhood Experiences — and what that may mean for your health and wellbeing.

Your ACE score

0-10

One point for each category of adverse experience you faced before age 18. A higher score signals more exposure — and a stronger case for protective, resilience-building support.

What it is

A simple measure of early adversity.

“ACEs” stands for Adverse Childhood Experiences — potentially traumatic events that occur in the first 18 years of life.

The ACE survey grew out of the landmark CDC–Kaiser study of more than 17,000 participants, which revealed how common these experiences are and how strongly they shape long-term health and behavior. The questionnaire asks ten yes-or-no questions; each “yes” adds one point to your score.

Your score isn’t a diagnosis or a destiny. It’s a starting point — a way to understand the stress you’ve carried so you can seek the relationships, skills, and supports that build resilience.

What it measures

Ten categories, across three groups.

The survey covers experiences before age 18 that fall into three broad areas of childhood adversity.

Abuse

  • Emotional abuse

  • Physical abuse

  • Sexual abuse

Neglect

  • Emotional neglect

  • Physical neglect

Household dysfunction

  • A household member treated violently
  • Substance misuse in the home
  • Mental illness in the home
  • Parental separation or divorce
  • An incarcerated household member

How it works

Three quick steps.

We walk with you every step — from first conversation to lasting change your team can sustain on their own.

01

Answer ten questions

Respond yes or no to ten questions about experiences before your 18th birthday. It takes about five minutes.

02

See your score

You’ll get a number from 0 to 10 — one point for each category you experienced. Nothing is stored or shared.

03

Take the next step

Use what you learn as a prompt to build protective factors — and consider taking the Resilience Survey next.

Your privacy matters. This survey is for your own reflection. Your answers are not collected, stored, or tied to your identity — take it as honestly as you can, just for yourself. If anything brings up difficult feelings, please reach out to a trusted person or a mental-health professional.

Get the full picture

Risk is only half the story.

An ACE score tells you about adversity. Pair it with these to understand the strengths and supports that build resilience.

Companion survey

The Resilience Survey

Explore the protective factors and supports in your life — the buffers that help you recover from stress and adversity.

Companion survey

Benevolent Childhood Experiences

The BCE survey looks at the favorable experiences of childhood — the safety, comfort, and connection that protect us over a lifetime.

Start with yourself

Understanding your score is a powerful first step.

It’s free, private, and takes just a few minutes. When you’re ready to go further, we can help you turn awareness into resilience-building practice.