<p>
	As the number of Irish children seeking medical help over gender identity rises nine-fold, support groups and families say children&rsquo;s distress is being exacerbated by the lack of a treatment framework here.</p>
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	Despite growing acceptance, research shows the transgender community is at greater risk of stress, self- harm, bullying, isolation, and depression, and transgender children often have a complex range of needs.</p>
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	Between April 2015 and April 2016, 27 Irish children were referred to the UK&rsquo;s Tavistock and Portman Foundation NHS Trust in London for help while, in 2012/2013, that figure stood at just three.</p>
<p>
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<p>
	Due to this increase, Tavistock started running a satellite clinic at Our Lady&rsquo;s Hospital in Crumlin four times a year, but families must seek help under the treatment abroad scheme to access the Dublin clinic.</p>
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<p>
	Research shows just 20% of children who seek help before adolescence go on to have sex reassignment while, conversely, 80% of those who seek help during puberty go on to change sex.</p>
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<p>
	Clinical psychologist at the Tavistock Polly Carmichael said the figures presenting in Ireland are &ldquo;without doubt&rdquo; an underestimate.</p>
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<p>
	&ldquo;The concern is that there could be a lot of unmet need amongst young people [in Ireland] as there is not really a pathway,&rdquo; said Dr Carmichael.</p>
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<p>
	Kirsty Donohue from Lucan, Co Dublin, is a mother of a 15-year-old trans boy, Dylan.</p>
<p>
	&nbsp;</p>
<p>
	&ldquo;We were battling for 20 months to get a gender dysphoria diagnosis as demand for the Tavistock clinic has soared,&rdquo; she says. &ldquo;Now we could be waiting 6-7 months for hormone blockers to pause puberty. The system needs to move much, much faster.&rdquo;</p>
<p>
	&nbsp;</p>
<p>
	One of the country&rsquo;s experts in gender dysphoria in children, consultant psychiatrist, Aileen Murtagh, who works at St Patrick&rsquo;s Mental Health Services said: &ldquo;The HSE has been consulting with a range of professional organisations, advocates, clinicians and families in proposing a service development model for transgender children, adolescents and adults.</p>
<p>
	&nbsp;</p>
<p>
	&quot;This is currently being finalised.</p>
<p>
	&nbsp;</p>
<p>
	&ldquo;Ideally, a national specialist service for young people and adults is required which would also provide consultation and training to local services to up-skill local clinicians in meeting the needs of these young people and their families.&rdquo;</p>
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	&nbsp;</p>
<p>
	(Published by the Irish Examiner on the 9th January 2017)</p>
<p>
	<a href="https://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/transgender-youth-hit-by-lack-of-services-438247.html">https://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/transgender-youth-hit-by-lack-of-services-438247.html</a></p>
