Dr. Norman Spack, Medical Consultant to the TYEF Board, speaks about transgender youth.

Care providers are often the first people parents of gender non-conforming and transgender children turn to for guidance, reassurance and appropriate medical care for their child. As first responders, it is vitally important that up-to-date, accurate and gender identity-affirming services be offered.

A physician, counselor or nurse practitioner armed only with rudimentary or trans adult-centric knowledge of gender dysphoria or transgender identity might, with the best of intentions, send a parent off in the wrong direction with regard to her child's needs. 

Respectful Care

When providing care, treatment, or services to a trans child or youth, it is important to understand that they are not simply "shorter/younger" versions of adult trans people; many aspects of the adult transgender patient/client model do not apply.