Preamble
Atypical
gender identity development, often termed
gender identity disorder (GID), can cause
extreme suffering and desperation in children
and adolescents. Treatment is complex and
outcomes unpredictable.
Medical
professionals are divided in their approach to
managing the care of these
youngsters.
In line with
current models of care employed by specialists
in this field, FTM Australia concurs
with the following statements.
FTM
Australia Position
Atypical
gender identity development is characterised
by:
- a desire to
be of the sex opposite to that assigned at
birth, or an assertion that he or she
actually is of that sex;
- dislike of
sexual bodily features and
functioning;
- a preference
for games, toys, objects and clothing usually
associated with the sex with which the child
identifies;
- a preference
for playmates of the sex with which the child
identifies.
Healthy
functioning gender-atypical children and
adolescents are in no need of treatment for
gender identity issues.
When
cross-genderedness causes distress in children
and adolescents, appropriate specialist care
should be sought as early as
possible.
An integrated
multi-disciplinary approach to the assessment,
management and treatment of cross-gendered
children and adolescents (commencing with
therapeutic exploration) should also address
coexisting health issues and extend to the
family.
For
gender-atypical children, FTMA understands that
medical interventions are not appropriate under
any circumstances.
For
cross-gendered adolescents, who have
demonstrated an intense and consistent pattern
of cross-sex identity and aversion to expected
gender role behaviours, and for whom the onset
of puberty increases distress, treatment using
puberty delaying hormones may be appropriate
under multi-disciplinary medical
supervision.
Partly-reversible
and irreversible medical intervention for
adolescents are best delayed until the age of
eighteen.
FTMA recommends
the Harry Benjamin Standards of Care
(specifically "V. Assessment and Treatment of
Children and Adolescents") for use by medical
practitioners supervising the care of gender
variant youth.
Related
Reading
—
Family Court of
Australia (2004) Court
Permits Hormone
Therapy,
Apr 13, 2004 (accessed Nov 2004).
—
Australians
with Transsexualism (2003) Teenager
Seeks Male Sex
Affirmation,
Dec 23, 2003.
—
Spriggs, M.P.
(2004) Ethics
and the proposed treatment for a 13-year-old with
atypical gender
identity,
Medical Journal Australia 181 (6):
319-321.
—
(2004)
Sex
change decision sparks
debate,
Sydney Morning Herald Apr 14 (accessed Nov
2004).
—
(2001) Harry
Benjamin International Gender Dysphoria
Association, Standards
Of Care For Gender Identity
Disorders,
Sixth Version (accessed Nov 2004).
Position
Statement Written January 2004
Position Statement Revised 14 April
2007
Citation
— Children and Adolescents - FTMA Position
Statement. (2004).
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