Science has shown that every human infant is born with a brain designed for Resilience: Love, Curiosity, Drive, Optimism, and

Life-Long Commitment

That inborn Resilience in you, your partner, and your infant or young child, needs to be protected in order to grow and thrive. Scientists have proven that certain types of experience protect Resilience. They are called Protective Factors.

Science has also shown that some experiences threaten your Resilience and that of your child. They are called Adverse Childhood Experiences or “ACEs”. To learn more, please open this Brochure

This Brochure is provided by your physician or early childhood provider to support healthy relationships between parents and their infants and young children.

Read this Page First

You were born with Resilience

You still have it now

Was it protected and nurtured when you were little?

Did your life as a child bring…

• Love and care that provided protection from stress?

• Relationships that supported growth and coping?

• Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)?

• What are “Adverse Childhood Experiences”?

• Abuse or Neglect of a child or youth

• A home that sometimes had more stress than love

There are 10 types of ACEs. They are common for children. Two out of 3 adults had at least one type of ACE as a child. One out of 6 adults had 4 or more types. Most do well in their lives. Many continue to have stress.

Research (http://www.cdc.gov/NCCDPHP/ACE/) has shown that the more types of ACE we experienced as children, the more likely we are to have physical and behavioral health problems as adults.

Our problems put our children at higher risk for ACEs.

Research has also shown that love and caring relationships bring out our resilience and are protective factors in our own lives and in the lives of our children.

This brochure is designed to help you:

• Affirm your resilience, sources of strength,

and support

• List challenges you faced as a child (ACEs) that may have caused you distress and may affect your health

• Reflect on how you may deal with the challenges

Identify sources of healing, growth, and support for parenting and for protecting your children

Protective Factors Self-rating

O I feel that my mother loved me when I was little.

O I feel that my father loved me when I was little.

O When I was little, other people helped my mother and father take care of me and seemed to love me.

O I’ve heard that when I was an infant someone in my family enjoyed playing with me, and I enjoyed it, too.

O When I was a child, there were relatives in my family who made me feel better if I was sad or worried.

O When I was a child, neighbors or my friends’ parents seemed to like me.

O When I was a child, teachers, coaches, youth leaders, or ministers were there to help me.

O Someone in my family cared about how I was doing in school.

O Someone in my family took care of me when I was sick.

O My family, neighbors and friends talked often about how we could make our lives better.

O We had rules in our house and were expected to keep them.

O When I felt really bad, I could almost always find someone I trusted to talk to

O When I was young, people noticed that I was capable and could get things done.

O When I was young, I was independent and a go-getter.

O When I was young, I believed that life is what you make it.

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___ How many of these Protective Factors did I have

as a child and youth?

___ How many still help me now?

Adverse Childhood Experience Self-rating

Your answers are confidential. You do not need to share them with anyone but you may find it helpful to do so.

While I was growing up, before I turned 18:

O A parent or other adult in the household would often swear at me, insult me, put me down, humiliate me, or act in a way that made me fear I would be physically hurt.

O A parent or other adult in the household would often push, grab, slap, or throw something at me or would hit me so hard that I had marks or was injured

O An adult or person at least 5 years older than me touched or fondled me or had me touch their body in a sexual way or tried to or actually had oral, anal, or vaginal sex with me.

O I often felt that no one in my family loved me or thought I was important or special or that my family didn’t feel close or support or look out for each other.

O I often felt that I didn’t have enough to eat, had to wear dirty clothes, and had no one to protect me or that my parents were too drunk or high to take care of me or take me to the doctor if I needed to go.

O My parents were separated or divorced.

O My mother was often pushed, grabbed, slapped, or had something thrown at her or sometimes kicked, bitten, hit with a fist or something hard, or ever repeatedly hit over at least a few minutes or threatened with a gun or knife.

O I lived with someone who was a problem drinker or alcoholic or who used street drugs.

O A household member was depressed or mentally ill or attempted suicide.

O A household member went to prison.

___ How many of these types of Adverse Childhood

Experiences did I have as a child up until age 18?

___ How many still upset me now? For help right now,

look at phone numbers at bottom of next page.

What can I do now? For help, who do I call?

I might want to:

O Thank those who have protected, supported and understood me

O Think about what I’ve been through and how I’ve been able to cope

O Think about the distress that is still there to cope with

O Think about unhealthy habits that help me cope with my distress

As a parent:

O I’m confident about the protective factors I and my family and community will provide for my child.

O I’m committed to provide my child with support and guidance for coping and dealing with distress

O I’m concerned about my children’s types of Adverse Childhood Experiences, how to protect them from other types, and how to help them deal with distress and avoid unhealthy coping habits

O I know ways to help me cope now, such as:

__ Talking with a trusted friend or family member

__ Talking with my doctor or my child’s doctor

__ Reading a pamphlet or web site

__ Talking with other parents about what we’ve been through and how we cope.

__ Finding a helpful group for coping or stress-management skills

__ Finding a helpful group for parenting skills

__ Finding out if I need a doctor’s help right away

Numbers to Call:

Your Doctor:

Your child’s Doctor:

General Help Line: 211

Emergency Line: 911

Mental Health Crisis Hot Line: 1-888-568-1112

Family Violence Hot Line: 1-800-799-SAFE (7233)

Abused Women’s Advocacy Project 1-800-559-2927

Maine Coalition Against Sexual Assault 1-800-871-7741

TTY # 1-888-458-5599

For more information search the following web sites:

A Mindset to Foster Resilience in Your Children:

http://www.drrobertbrooks.com/writings/articles/0105.html

Resilience Guide for Parents and Teachers

www.apahelpcenter.org/featuredtopics/feature.php?id=39

[Library of resources] www.resilnet.uiuc.edu/library.html

Google: Promoting Resilience in Children: What Parents Can Do

ACE Study and resources: http://www.cdc.gov/NCCDPHP/ACE/; www.acestudy.org

www.zerotothree.org

www.aap.org

References & Resources:

Brooks, R. and Goldstein, S. (2002). Raising Resilient Children: Fostering Strength, Hope, and Optimism in Your Child. NTC Publishing.

Ginsburg, KR. (2006). A Parent¹s Guide to Building Resilience in Children and Teens: Giving Your Child Roots and Wings. American Academy of Pediatrics.

Siegel, D. and Hartzell, M. (2004). Parenting from the Inside Out: How a deeper self-understanding can help you raise children who thrive. Penguin

Werner, EE, and Smith, RS. (2001) Journeys from Childhood to Midlife: Risk,Resilience, and Recovery. Cornell University Press; 2001

Werner, EE, and Smith, RS. (1992). Overcoming the Odds: High-risk Children from Birth to Adulthood Cornell U Press

Whitfield, CL. (2003). The Truth About Depression: Choices for Healing. Health Communications, Inc. : www.cbwhit.com

This brochure offers support and suggestions; it is not therapy. It was developed by the pediatricians, early childhood services providers, psychologists, and health advocates of

Southern Kennebec Healthy Start, Augusta, Maine, 2006.

Additional copies may be obtained from your service provider or from the Maine Chapter, American Academy of Pediatrics, 15 Gay Road, Readfield, Maine 04355.

New web site: www.MaineFamilyNetworks.com