Providing Affirming Care to Transgender and Gender-Diverse Youth

Abstract

This book aids clinicians in supporting and caring for transgender and gender-diverse children and adolescents - youth who are born into an incongruent body. A recent study using data from 19 states reported that 1.8% of American youth identified as transgender. Many people who are transgender will experience gender dysphoria, the intense emotional distress that is caused by a discrepancy between a person's gender identity and their sex assigned at birth. In this compact volume, the authors discuss the variety of domains involved in addressing gender dysmorphia: social, psychological, medical, and legislative/advocacy. They provide clear and concise information on the types and timing of gender-affirming medications and surgical interventions and offer useful suggestions for making interactions in the clinic and the clinical space inclusive for transgender and gender-diverse youth. Among the topics covered include: identity development and gender nonconformity in early childhood and puberty the importance of access to mental health professionals with expertise in gender nonconformity the responsible use of developmentally appropriate gender-affirming medications and surgical interventions related clinical issues such as nutrition counselling for youth receiving gender-affirming treatments creating a safe and inclusive healthcare environment for transgender and gender-diverse youth advocating for transgender and gender-diverse patients by working with local and national policy makers Providing Affirming Care to Transgender and Gender-Diverse Youth is essential reading for pediatric healthcare professionals including physicians in pediatrics and family medicine, plastic surgeons, nurses, dietitians, psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, and other practitioners. Students in these fields as well as policy makers also would find this a useful resource.