93 - The Creation of the Australian Standards of Care and Treatment Guidelines for Trans and Gender Diverse Children and Adolescents

Abstract

Purpose: Clinical standards of care and treatment guidelines for the transgender population have been available since the first publication of the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH) SOC in 1979. WPATH have now published seven versions of this guideline, most recently in 2011. Until now, there has not been a guideline specifically designed to guide health professionals to optimise the health and well-being of trans and gender diverse (TGD) children and adolescents in Australia. There are potential challenges in accessing TGD healthcare for the Australian population. This is especially the case for children and adolescents who are vulnerable due to cultural and linguistic diversity (including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander populations), out of home care, intellectual disability, or detention within the youth justice system. Other barriers include existing legal requirements of the Family Court of Australia for adolescents accessing medical and surgical interventions and vast geographical distances separating service providers. The recently developed Australian Standards of Care and Treatment Guidelines (ASOCTG) aim to maximise quality care provision to trans and gender diverse children and adolescents across Australia, whilst recognising the unique circumstances of providing such care to this population. They have been endorsed by the Australian and New Zealand Professional Association for Transgender Health (ANZPATH).