Thriving Beyond Adversity: A Prospective Longitudinal Cohort Study Using a Strength-Based Approach Depicts Indigenous Adolescents with Less Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) Had Fewer Neurodevelopmental Disorders (NDDs).
Fewer adverse childhood experiences and strong Indigenous cultural identity cut neurodevelopmental disorder odds in Indigenous teens.
01Research in Context
What this study did
The team followed a group of Indigenous teens for two years. They counted how many bad life events each kid had before age 14. They also tracked who later got a diagnosis of autism, ADHD, or other neurodevelopmental disorders.
The study used strengths-based questions. Teens also rated how connected they felt to their culture and language.
What they found
Teens with fewer adverse childhood experiences were six times less likely to have a neurodevelopmental disorder. Girls and teens who felt strong in their Indigenous identity also had lower odds.
The link held for every diagnosis checked: autism, ADHD, intellectual disability, and developmental delay.
How this fits with other research
Bennett et al. (2017) warned that almost no studies looked at Indigenous Australians with autism. MMendez et al. (2024) now fills that gap with real numbers.
Bruno et al. (2026) asked Indigenous stakeholders what research should look like. They wanted strengths-based, community-led work. The 2024 study mirrors those wishes by measuring cultural pride as a shield.
Lee et al. (2020) and Hatfield et al. (2018) both saw gains when autistic teens joined strengths-focused programs. MI et al. widen the lens, showing cultural strength protects before any program starts.
Why it matters
You can’t change a child’s past, but you can add protective factors now. Boost cultural connection through local language, art, or on-country trips. Ask about ACEs in intake forms and plan extra supports for kids with high scores. Track outcomes not just by behavior reduction, but by how proud kids feel of who they are.
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02At a glance
03Original abstract
Improving social and emotional well-being (SEWB) among Indigenous adolescents is crucial. Since neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) are common in Indigenous people and adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are important contributors to negative health outcomes throughout the lifespan, we investigated whether limited ACE exposure is associated with reduced risk of NDDs in Australian Indigenous teens using the data from multiple waves (Wave 1 to Wave 9, and Wave 11) of the Longitudinal Study of Indigenous Children (LSIC). We also examined the role of other protective factors, such as Indigenous cultural identity and school connectedness, against NDDs. A strengths-based approach using mixed-effects logistic regression models examined the protective effect of limited ACE exposure (from LSIC waves 1-9) on NDDs (outcome from LSIC wave 11), adjusting for sociodemographic factors. The NDDs included autism, ADHD, intellectual, neurological, and specific learning disabilities. Of the 370 individuals analysed, 73.2% valued Indigenous cultural identity, and 70.5% were strongly connected at school. More than one-fourth (27.8%) reported limited ACE exposure, while the majority was not diagnosed with NDDs (93%). Longitudinal analysis revealed limited ACE exposure was 6.01 times (95% CI: 1.26-28.61; <i>p</i> = 0.024) more likely to be protective against NDDs compared to those exposed to multiple ACEs. Moreover, valuing cultural identity (aOR = 2.81; 95% CI: 1.06-7.39; <i>p</i> = 0.038) and girls (aOR = 13.88; 95% CI: 3.06-62.84; <i>p</i> = 0.001) were protective against NDDs compared to their respective counterparts. Our findings highlight the need to prevent ACE exposure and promote Indigenous cultural identity in preventing negative health outcomes and the exacerbation of health inequities to strengthen the SEWB of Indigenous communities.
, 2024 · doi:10.3390/bs14111047