For Immediate Release
Contact: Rob Grant, Communications Director
202.966.7300, Ext. 119
rgrant@aacap.org
Samantha Phillips, Communications Coordinator
202.966.7300, Ext. 154
sphillips@aacap.org
Transgender and Gender Diverse Youth - AACAP Facts for Families
Washington, DC, June 1, 2017 – The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP) is pleased to release a new resource for children and families on gender identity and expression.
Starting around age 2, children begin to think about and express their gender. Exploration of different gender expressions is a common part of development.
Having a child whose affirmed gender identity differs from the gender on their birth certificate can be confusing for families. Parents may not understand why their child's behavior and interests differ from their siblings or peers. Parents may worry about their child's future or what friends or relatives will think or say.
Research suggests that accepting a child's affirmed gender identity and expression can decrease the risk of future psychiatric problems such as depression, anxiety, and suicidal behavior. With patience and support, both children and parents can adjust, improve understanding of each other's concerns, and lead a happy and productive life.
This resource was created to offer guidance on how to respond when raising a gender diverse or transgender child. AACAP resources are starting points in addressing a topic related to children and are not intended to serve as a substitute for psychiatric treatment or counseling.
The see the full document, "Transgender and Gender Diverse Youth," visit http://bit.ly/2r1gOvP or www.aacap.org.
For more information, please contact Samantha Phillips, Communications Coordinator, at sphillips@aacap.org
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Representing 9,200+ child and adolescent psychiatrists nationwide, the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP) is the leading authority on children's mental health.
AACAP Members actively research, diagnose and treat psychiatric disorders affecting children, adolescents and their families. For more information please visit www.aacap.org.