The NHS will reportedly test all children who identify as transgender for autism. According to the Telegraph, every child referred to a gender clinic will be “screened for neurodevelopmental conditions” such as autism and ADHD.
The approach is part of new guidance to be published for public consultation “imminently” before it is rolled out later this year. It will be used by established children’s gender clinics in London and Manchester, and will mark a move away from the “medical model” implemented by the controversial Tavistock Gender Identity Development Service in favour of a “holistic” approach.
The guidance says: “Given the high prevalence of neurodiversity identified within this population, all those attending the NHS Children and Young People’s Gender Service should receive screening for neurodevelopmental conditions.”
It comes a week after the UK Supreme Court ruled that the definition of “sex” referred to “biological sex” rather than acquired gender, in a decision seen as a loss for trans rights groups. A review into gender identity services for young people by paediatrician Baroness Cass found these mental health conditions were disproportionately common among children and young people with gender dysphoria.
Hilary Cass, a former president of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, published her final report on April 10 2024. It was endorsed by the Conservative and Labour parties, though LGBT+ Labour criticised it, as have LGBTQ+ advocacy groups in the UK and overseas.
Baroness Cass’s review has already led to a national ban on prescribing puberty blockers to those experiencing gender dysphoria who are under 18, while the Tavistock facility was closed in March last year and replaced with new services.
As part of the new guidance, medical professionals will also evaluate the mental health, family relationships and sexual development of children presenting with gender dysphoria. This will include whether they are experiencing same-sex attraction.
A new NHS Children and Young People’s Gender Service will be tasked with judging eight key areas of a child’s life.
After screening for autism and learning difficulties, they will be able to decide whether further “cognitive assessments” are necessary.
A “multidisciplinary team”, including a consultant specialising in neurodevelopmental disorders, will create a treatment plan for each individual tailored to their diagnosis.
Doctors will determine whether a child’s symptoms are caused by autism or whether treatment is required for gender dysphoria.
Children could also be reviewed every six months while getting help for their autism.
One key area in the decision-making process is termed “family context”, with doctors tasked with surveying children’s upbringing and relationships.
Another key section, called “sexual development, knowledge and sexual orientation”, says “clinicians should seek to understand the child/young person’s emerging sexuality and sexual orientation”.
It advises medics to consider whether the child was previously exposed to “adversity and trauma”, as well as their physical health needs, long-term conditions, well-being, school relationships and educational attainment.
