Courtney,
Thanks for your post. While I know this is sensitive, I do think an expert trap has emerged a bit as well - indicating that only experts trained can do this sort of work. I believe there could be a danger in just "collecting" the information, and leaving it there without some explanation and follow up. I also believe that folks in general - and those who have experienced ACEs in particular, have a fierce resolve and have been coping with things that most adults - maybe even professionally licensed adults - have never had to deal with. Knowing their ACEs, alongside a caring adult who will be there to listen and support, will not derail them and may provide relief.
There have been some binary post - an either or position - that feels a little dangerous regardless of the subject (we all surely agree that, or we shouldn't do this), as if there is such a thing as undisputed fact - much less significant evidence. The version that Nadine Burke Harris uses - maybe the CYW - has a teen version. it is essentially the same 10 ACE questions combined with some other questions (maybe 6-8) around poverty and race, etc. that go beyond the scope of the initial 10 - and incorporates other things we have learned about what can be traumatic (witnessing community violence). I believe that she provides the screening tool to parents and teens - has them score it - and then only collects the overall number. She says she does not need to know the exact trauma that they have been dealing with to provide a framework about what it means to have experienced and now deal with the trauma.
Best,
Greg