{"id":76393,"date":"2024-09-27T09:30:00","date_gmt":"2024-09-27T08:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.highspeedtraining.co.uk\/hub\/?p=76393"},"modified":"2024-10-09T11:44:07","modified_gmt":"2024-10-09T10:44:07","slug":"gender-dysphoria-in-children","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.highspeedtraining.co.uk\/hub\/gender-dysphoria-in-children\/","title":{"rendered":"Gender Dysphoria in Children: Guidance for Parents and Teachers"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Gender dysphoria is a traumatic condition related to the way a person perceives their gender identity. For parents, carers and teachers, offering support to a child with gender dysphoria can be difficult and highly-sensitive, but it\u2019s an essential part of helping the child to manage the way they feel about themselves and how they fit into society. In this article, we\u2019ll look at what gender dysphoria is and the signs of gender dysphoria to look out for amongst children and young people, plus provide information on how to support a child who may be gender questioning or experiencing gender dysphoria in the classroom.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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What is Gender Dysphoria?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Gender dysphoria<\/strong> is when someone experiences distress because their gender identity differs from the biological sex they were assigned at birth. Gender dysphoria is a medical term recognised by the NHS<\/a>. It is not a mental health condition, though it can lead to mental health problems due to the stress and anxiety it causes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A person\u2019s gender identity is not necessarily the same as their sex.<\/strong> The term \u2018sex\u2019 refers to whether you were born as a boy or girl – your sex assigned at birth. Gender identity, on the other hand, refers to how you perceive yourself, whether as male, female, non-binary or somewhere in the middle. Your gender identity may match up with your biological sex – e.g. you were born a girl and identify as female – but for many people, the two don\u2019t align. In these instances, a person may be questioning their gender identity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gender questioning <\/strong>is the term used to describe when a child or young person is asking questions about their gender identity, whether internally or out loud. They may be curious about their physical attributes, questioning their belonging in society or exploring how they feel about being a boy or girl. For some children, these feelings can cause anxiety or distress and can sometimes lead to gender dysphoria.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Child<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

As they get older, children with gender dysphoria will often have a strong desire to live their life according to their perceived gender identity, so they might change the way they look and act to match accordingly. This can start from a very young age, with children choosing to wear clothing or play with toys associated with the opposite gender. In school, they may ask to change their name, wear the opposite sex\u2019s uniform or start using a different bathroom, with the expectation that teachers will treat them as their identified gender. This is sometimes called social transitioning<\/strong> and it can be a tricky area for everyone involved to navigate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, it\u2019s important to note that diagnoses of gender dysphoria are relatively rare amongst children.<\/strong> Many children will role play as a different gender or choose to play with children of the opposite sex, and this is entirely normal and not indicative of gender issues. If this exploration continues into their teenage years, and the child begins to feel anxious, uncomfortable or distressed about the effects of puberty, then consider speaking to a GP.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Signs of Gender Dysphoria<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Signs of gender dysphoria in children and young people can be complex and difficult for parents, carers and teachers to deal with. Children experiencing gender dysphoria may not have the words to describe their feelings, may be feeling very confused or embarrassed and may not know what to do next. This is where you, the parent or educational professional, can offer your support.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Teenager<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Note that the behaviours listed below do not necessarily indicate that a child has gender dysphoria. Many of these feelings, actions and behaviours are typical of childhood and part of growing up, and the child will outgrow them as they get older. These actions may indicate a problem when the child also has feelings of severe distress as a result.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Signs of gender dysphoria in young children may include:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n