The RCH Gender Dysphoria Service has made news headlines as our referral numbers grow at an exponential rate. From 2003 to 2007 RCH received 1 new referral every second year. In 2013, we received 40 new referrals, with 60 new patients expected during 2014.
Children and adolescents with Gender Dysphoria (also known as being “transgender”) experience marked distress when their experienced or expressed gender differs from their biological sex. ‘Sex’ refers to a person’s physical appearance, determined by their chromosomes and hormones. In contrast, ‘gender’ refers to a person’s inner sense of whether they are male, female or somewhere in between.
At RCH, the Gender Dysphoria Service consists of a team of Adolescent Physicians, Child and Adolescent Psychiatrists, Endocrinologists and Gynaecologists. We work together to ensure that all young people presenting to RCH with gender concerns receive a comprehensive assessment and ongoing support.
Psychological support may include education and counselling for the child or adolescent, their family members and involvement of the school community. For those young people who decide to commence hormonal treatment, this ongoing support is considered a necessary component of their care.
If you, or your child or adolescent wishes to be seen by the RCH Gender Dysphoria Service, a referral is required from a general practitioner. Parents can also access support through Transcend, a parent support group for families with transgender children or adolescents.
Dr Michelle Telfer
Clinical Lead Adolescent Medicine
The Centre for Adolescent Health