How Can I Support My Gender Diverse Child?

Speaker: Tracy Cavaligos, PsyD, Clinical Psychologist, CHC's Catherine T. Harvey Center for Clinical Services

Tracy Cavaligos, PsyD: Hi, I'm Dr. Tracy Cavaligos Cavaligos, a clinical psychologist at Children's Health Council (CHC). "How can I support my gender diverse child?" "How can I support my gender diverse child?" You probably hear a lot about heightened risk for gender diverse youth, like increased rates of violence, suicide or depression. Being gender diverse does not mean your child will experience these things, and it does not cause these experiences. These are results of lack of support and discrimination from peers, family, schools and society. family, schools and society. The most powerful thing you can do for your child is to support them. Having a supportive family and peers are the top protective factors to reducing mental health risk for trans youth. Some things you can practice include using pronouns and names that they share with you, allowing them to explore themselves and to tell you who they are. This can be through clothing, toys and activities that they choose; talking about gender with your child and being open and attentive with what they share; identifying safe and supportive adults in their communities who they can go to at school or extracurriculars if needed; and building a community, connect with other peers, adults, connect with other peers, adults, families, medical and mental health providers who are affirming, and they can help create a safer world and connections for your child. Also, it's important for parents to get their own support as well. There are options for parent support groups with other parents of gender diverse and trans youth to learn and grow in their capacity to support their children. in their capacity to support their children.