Pediatric Gender Program
When a young person has questions or concerns related to gender, the entire family is affected. We are a safe, supportive resource and interdisciplinary program for children, adolescents, and young adults who are exploring their gender identity, as well as for their families.
We provide comprehensive care for young people who are questioning their assigned gender and/or are seeking consultation and care. Our team includes pediatric-trained endocrinologists, psychologists, and psychiatrists, as well as a medical ethicist, a chaplain, and a lawyer. We work closely together as a team and also consult with a wide array of other specialists. Together, we are committed to providing care in compassionate and respectful ways.
Our clinicians follow current medical protocols, and the care offered by our program is supported by professional guidelines endorsed by the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Medical Association, the American Psychiatric Association, and the American Psychological Association.
Our Services
When it comes to gender identity and related concerns, our first step is to listen. Some youth are exploring their identity. Others know that how they feel inside does not match up with the gender they were assigned at birth. We help sort through these questions.
After an initial consultation, we offer a thorough biopsychosocial readiness assessment, which includes obtaining information from patients and their families. This comprehensive assessment takes six to eight hours to complete and can be done in one day or divided over several sessions. If we determine that any mental health or other support is needed, we can connect patients with resources at Yale or in the community.
After the evaluation and when all parties agree that it is safe, healthy, and appropriate, we offer a variety of care options related to gender affirmation.
At the first visit to our program, gender affirmation visit, patients and their families will meet with both one of our a pediatric endocrinologists and a mental health provider experienced in caring for dealing with patients who report gender variance. First and foremost, we make sure we understand our patients’ needs and desires. We will discuss the risks and side effects of any proposed care options, work together to learn what support systems are already in place, and determine what additional treatments and resources our patients may need.
If you are in crisis, call the confidential toll-free National Suicide Hotline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255), 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If texting is easier, you can also text the National Crisis Text Line by texting HOME to 741741.
