The stigma that transgender children and youth often face can take a toll on their mental and physical health, but a new policy statement aims to makes at least one place safe for them: the doctor?s office. The new statement from the American Academy of Pediatrics says that paediatricians should support and offer comprehensive care for transgender and gender diverse kids.
?Maintaining a safe clinical space can provide at least one consistent, protective refuge for patients and families, allowing authentic gender expression and exploration that builds resiliency,? write the authors of the statement.
The report outlines best practices for everything from using patient-asserted names and pronouns in person and on medical charts to suppressing puberty in order to prevent the development of sexual characteristics and the distress that comes with them. It also educates paediatricians on some of the harsh realities trans kids might face at home or in schools, and encourages them to become advocates for gender-diverse children within their own communities.  .related-article-block{display:inline-block;width:300px;padding:0.5rem;margin-left:0.5rem;float:right;border:1px solid #ccc}@media (max-width: 525px){.related-article-block{float:none;display:block;width:280px;margin:0 auto 2rem}}

What life is like for transgender children now

?I?m really impressed with the steps the AAP is making,? says Amanda Jette Knox, an LGBTQ advocate who has a trans daughter and trans wife, ?and while ...