ACE’s

Adverse Childhood Experiences

Since 1998, Vincent Felitti, Robert Anda and colleagues have accumulated evidence that Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) literally attack the structures of a child’s developing brain, leading to “lasting effects on brain structure and function”. This brain injury – acquired in infancy or adolescence – has serious individual and societal costs.

There is a preponderance of evidence that adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) result in harmful physical, learning, social, emotional, and behavioural health outcomes during childhood, with far reaching effects lasting across the lifespan.

Through Play and Creative Arts therapy Blue Box provide therapeutic approach for children who have experienced ACE’s. By providing a safe space for emotional expression and regulation children can process their trauma and can learn to problem solving and coping skills.

The therapeutic trusting relationship that the child builds in Blue Box, children with ACE’s can process their experiences, develop resilience, and move towards healing and recovery.

Ray et al., 2021 states that play and creative arts therapies appears to be a practical and effective intervention for children who have experienced ACEs and at-risk for trauma disorder.