Questions About Gender: Children with Atypical Gender Development

Abstract

Gender dysphoria and questions about gender identity can present in young children and raise significant issues for families, schools and clinicians. There is ongoing debate about the causes and treatment of these conditions and the relationship of childhood GID to adult trans-sexualism. Biological models focus on the impact of prenatal hormonal exposure on brain development and this may underlie early onset cross-gender identification. In some childhood gender dysphoria family and attachment issues may contribute, suggesting that initial assessment should also include psychosocial and family functioning.