Trauma, ADHD and Healing: Why ACE Scores Matter More Than You Think

2025-04-25

In this powerful episode, Kamden dives into the deep connection between childhood trauma, ADHD, and the generational patterns that often go unseen. Drawing on her recent experience at the Healing Generations in Utah conference Kamden explains what ACEs (Adverse Childhood Experiences) are and why individuals with ADHD often carry high ACE scores. You'll hear about the essential role of emotional regulation, the importance of trauma-informed therapy like EMDR and ART, and how healing in one generation can dramatically improve outcomes in the next. Kamden also sheds light...

You'll hear about the essential role of emotional regulation, the importance of trauma-informed therapy like EMDR and ART, and how healing in one generation can dramatically improve outcomes in the next. Kamden also sheds light on Utah-specific cultural dynamics that may contribute to higher ACE scores—and what we can do about it.

Finally, you'll walk away with a toolkit of evidence-based "Stress Busters" from Dr. Nadine Burke-Harris that can support long-term healing and regulation for both children and adults with ADHD.

In This Episode:

What ACEs are and how they affect ADHD
Shocking statistics on the overlap between trauma and ADHD
Why coaching must include emotional regulation work
The cultural and systemic factors that make Utah unique
How to use your healing journey to impact future generations
What every parent, caregiver, and educator should know
The difference between toxic stress and tolerable stress—and how to buffer it

📚 Resources Mentioned:

ACE Study (Adverse Childhood Experiences) – https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/aces
"The Deepest Well" by Dr. Nadine Burke-Harris
Dr. Nadine Burke-Harris TED Talk – How childhood trauma affects health across a lifetime
Helton, Gocke-Kerr & Gruber, 2017 – Study showing children with learning disabilities are 2.5x more likely to be victims of sexual abuse
What Happened To You?
The Body Keeps the Score
My Body! What I say GOES!
Body Safety Education: A Parents guide to protecting kids from sexual abuse