The NHS will test all children who believe they are transgender for autism under new plans seen by The Telegraph.

Galaxy

It is beyond words to tell children their bodies are wrong, even the transgender organisations have abandoned that descriptor. You will be telling children they can change their 'gender' whatever that may mean, but as a society we are now clearly saying transwomen are not women. It us not ethical to promise young people something that cannot be delivered.

The holistic approach does not tell children or adults they are wrong in making decisions either way.

Proper counselling and therapy is to support a person in making the best outcome for their own lives. It doesn't deny nor confirm a fixed outcome.

People cannot become a women or man if they are not born in that sex but they may after much thought become transmen or transwomen.

winterwhite

Does it say how this is to be funded? I.e what other CAMHS services are likely to be scaled back to accommodate it?
I agree with FGT on this.

winterwhite It is already funded and has been since the inception of provision in this field, it is not taking away money from any other CAMHS field.

The waiting lists for referral for the children's gender clinics are longer than the average wait for assessments for autism.

My DiL works in County Durham in a CAMHS team, specifically and mostly with Autistic Children and has given me this information, but waiting list times can be found online as well.

Both are grossly underfunded as is Mental Health provision generally.

Does it say how this is to be funded? I.e what other CAMHS services are likely to be scaled back to accommodate it?
I agree with FGT on this.

It is beyond words to tell children their bodies are wrong, even the transgender organisations have abandoned that descriptor. You will be telling children they can change their 'gender' whatever that may mean, but as a society we are now clearly saying transwomen are not women. It us not ethical to promise young people something that cannot be delivered.

It would be deeply cruel for the NHS to deny the reality that some children really are "born in the wrong body" and whatever the time or society they were born in, would have an insuperable urge to live as the opposite gender as an adult.And hate their body.
I think you can still change your legal gender. The Supreme Court ruled that the in the Equalities Act, the legal term "woman" refers exclusively to a biological woman. It didn't end gender transformation surgery or the right of trans people to change their legal gender.

Every child referred to a gender clinic will be “screened for neurodevelopmental conditions” such as autism and ADHD under new guidance, to be introduced in the wake of the Cass review.
Judging by the comments on GN and MN, they’ll be lucky to get an appointment to be assessed for neurodiversity before they leave school.
I know enough neurodivergent children and their parents via looking after DGS, to know how hard getting an appointments is.

I think there’s a good reason for studying this, but if the waiting list for neurodivergent children who say they are trans becomes quicker, what impact might that have on parents already desperate for help for their neurodivergent child?

I think the supreme Court ruling actually also impacts how we will treat children as we move forward. It appears to me to be deeply cruel for the NHS to say to children you can change sex when it isn't true. I would also like them as a matter of urgency to show some vague interest in the detransition rate, the unprecented increase in this amongst young girls and some of the information that seems to be appearing about wellbeing after physical transition.

I really disagree.

I support the Cass report which has set up two centres for young people expressing gender dysphoria. These stand alongside local CAMHS.

Waiting lists are no shorter - they are long for both CAMHS and the Cass clinics. (and the adult clinics from 18)

The Gender clinics take exactly the holistic approach described above, with much needed specific expertise in working with the whole range of young people from those who are autistic or have other neurodevelopment on the one hand,

and those who are not "mentally ill", don't need CAMHS but face difficult choices ahead time to think and support until they are 18 and can register at an adult gender clinic.

There are 8 Adult Gender Clinics around the country and in these discussions can continue and treatment if it's the right way ahead.

Again, they are holistic, people may make choices to make no changes, to do what Oreo says,

for both teenage and adult clinics to support people taking their time and it being OK to be unsure and this is surely a valuable part of what the NHS can offer.

Pulling out of gender dysphoria means a two tier society with those who can afford help/treatment going ahead with possibly dodgy clinics who don't have this holistic approach and is just out to make money.

But ultimately, yes, I think the NHS should pay for meds or surgery where it's appropriate.

It seems to me that the O/P is suggesting that genuine gender dysphoria either doesnt exist or that people shouldn't get our societies support.

The problem is that referrals to CAMHS are one thing, but getting an actual appointment is another.The wait can be years. Having said that I know there are too many autistic teenagers unsure of their sexuality/ gender having read about it. What it needs is for somebody who understands them to reassure these children/ young people that it’s natural for them to be unsure and just give it time, and themselves time to grow up.

FGT2 Have to agree.Under 18s are considered not to be mature enough to realise consequences when it comes to law infringements and that should be applied to transgender changing.

FGT Agree 100%.