Polyvagal Theory, developed by Stephen Porges, provides a neuroscience framework that explains many aspects of adverse childhood experiences in terms of the nervous system's safety-detection mechanisms.
The Three States of Polyvagal Theory and Adverse Childhood Experiences
Ventral vagal (safe and social): Optimal state for connection, learning, and adverse childhood experiences management
Sympathetic mobilization (fight or flight): Anxiety-type adverse childhood experiences responses
Dorsal vagal shutdown (freeze/collapse): Depression and dissociation-type adverse childhood experiences
Neuroception and Adverse Childhood Experiences
Neuroception — the body's unconscious safety-detection — can be dysregulated in adverse childhood experiences, causing false alarms (sensing danger when safe) that drive adverse childhood experiences responses.
Polyvagal-Informed Adverse Childhood Experiences Treatment
Therapy that acknowledges the body's state — helping clients move into ventral vagal 'safe and social' — transforms adverse childhood experiences management.
Safe relationships, co-regulation, and body-based practices are particularly emphasized.