Adverse Childhood Experiences: What’s it got to do with me? | Rachel Symmons | TEDxUoChester

What are Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)? What is the lasting legacy of childhood trauma and what impact does it have on the development of the brain? What’s all this got to do with you anyway? By using a mixture of poetry and scientific information, the answer to these questions are provided, giving a unique insight into the impact of ACEs and the simple things organisations can do provide safe, trauma informed environments. This talk will describe the lasting impact of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and resultant mental illness before explaining the effect on the brain. By using poetry to describe I hope to provide a unique insight into how mental illness feels and understanding of the simple things organisations can do to avoid inadvertently triggering a trauma response. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at www.ted.com/tedx

[@rashadjaveed274]

Thanks for highlighting this all pervasive dilemma in most of the societies. The security, love, appreciation and understanding by the respective teachers and mentors could provide a sfe island where the afflicted souls could thrive witout shame and regret. No bad kids.

[@Coach_Julienne111]

FASCINATING!! So important for adults working with children to get this whole process. Very creative delivery! It's heart-wrenching to think about what goes through a traumatized mind. Kindness is so important in our world. You can never know what battles people are fighting in their lives. Let's make KINDNESS our default.

[@rachelsymons4833]

Thank you.

[@thehighpriestess8431]

It sounds like a great plan. Thank you :)

[@anaussieinvietnam]

Wow - You put the idea through the eye of a needle... Right on... Exactly the situation. I am in my 50's and having massive breakdowns and episodes for this very reason...

[@mariajoaofmd6698]

thank you very much
I have been working with children and young people at risk for several years now and when I heard you today that I am off duty it seemed to me that I was finally hearing the words that "my" children cannot say, or express in the form of screams, cries , silences, teeth gnashing and outbursts of anger.
Thanks

[@rachelsymons4833]

Thank you

[@sophiesmith258]

Well done. A nice combination of fact and performance to examine a serious topic.

[@grandmastermario3695]

I talked with my brother and how I have a ace score of atleast 8 but I also mentioned that my ace score could possibly be even higher because I don't remember everything and some trauma is blocked out and I also mentioned how trauma can have affects on the mind and body even if you don't remember it

[@sarahcouture24]

I know I hate me too. Wow, that poem... Damn. I feel it.

[@elizabethbutler5248]

An important topic which is very well presented. Brilliant TED talk!

[@SabrinaRizandya-ek6vs]

Thank you for including disassociation. Best explanation I've ever heard regarding my condition. To add, a person with dissociation also struggles with communication. Even simple things such as texting could be overwhelming. I'm from an Asian country who don't really recognized mental health, my family called me weak for having problems with dissociation and my friends thinks that its just laziness. I'm very late to comment. I hope I got a respond. how do I improve my mental health?

[@launicamunyecca4184]

thank you so so much for this talk wow !!! this is so powerful and impactful.

[@carlibrianna03]

Thank you for this!!

[@Treezp1]

Thank you! Theresa

[@chaomeichang572]

So inspiring insight.

[@viviennesubelli3600]

Best explanation I have heard. Thank you.

[@Jordanosantrio]

8 unless jail counts as prison, and my mom leaving a few times and coming back counts as "separation". If these two count than it would be 10.

[@erinm3567]

The ACE study criteria is nowhere near complete. Death of a parent/caretaker isn't included which I find astounding. There are many others, and as someone with complex ptsd, unfortunately I can attest to the fact that the whole rest of the person's life is adversely impacted.

[@jajdude]

One question from the ACE quiz asks "Before your 18th birthday, was a biological parent ever lost to you through divorce, abandonment, or other reason? "
Other reason could be death. It's possible being abandoned is even worse.

[@rachelsymons4833]

There can and have been many criticisms of Felitti's study, largely around it not being inclusive enough. However, it was ground breaking at the time and has been the foundation on which other research has been built, leading to much greater understanding. The aim of this talk wasn't to critically appraise the study but to give a general overview for lay people to understand the impact of childhood trauma and simple things that they can do that could help.

[@eminemilly]

this study has been repeated in different countries

[@sewfairyadhock8618]

no 6 loss of parent (caretaker) through death or divorce

[@josephp1117]

55 years old. Still dealing with the loss of a parent. At 5 years old. ... What do I do?😢😢

[@ryancole4015]

This could have been less of a performance

[@billsmith182]

I think the performance is what reminded me of what I say in my own head. It told me I was'nt alone in all those thoughts, someone else said them too.

[@cp6fr]

I agree. It was a bit triggering for me