5-year-old boy from the UK returns to school as girl

February 10, 2016  01:20

A five-year-old schoolboy has returned to the classroom as a girl in one of Britain's youngest-ever cases of gender dysphoria.

Letters were sent to classmates and parents after the festive break telling them of the boy's wishes to be treated as a little girl.

The youngster, who has not been identified, now turns up for classes at his Nottinghamshire primary school as a girl.

His family have told teachers they are supporting their son through the early stages of gender transitioning.

They are also receiving help from the local authority - which has seen a surge in gender dysphoria cases.

Children can take drugs to postpone puberty as well as hormone treatment, before NHS gender realignment surgery at 18.

The Gender Identity Research and Education Society says referrals for treatment of young people are growing by 50%.

Colin Pettigrew, from Nottingham County Council, said it was determined to support the youngster's wishes.

He said: "Transgender is a new area for many school and is a characteristic protected by law.

"Therefore headteachers across England continue to and are required to agree a clear plan to support the needs of transgender children and young people."

Maria Kontogianni, senior lecturer in psychology with sociology at Nottingham Trent University, said the child and parents will need counselling.

She added: "Children could start feeling gender dysphoria from the age of three-years-old.

"They will say that they don't feel like a boy or a girl or they may decide they are not.

"If the school or parents do not respond correctly it can become a real problem for the child.

"If a child does start saying these things it is completely fine as long as they get the help they need as soon as possible.

"If it is done correctly you could have a very happy child.

"The key is to engage the family and teachers in the process because many will try to tip-toe around the subject.

"A young child at primary school will be going through the first stage which includes continuous counselling for both child and parents."

There is currently only one specialist clinic for young people with gender identity issues in the UK.

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