Customer Reviews

The Transgender Child: A Handbook for Families and Professionals

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This is a wonderful book!
The Transgender Child is the first of its kind - a thoughtful manual for parents and caregivers of transgender children, written by one of our country's most respected gender therapists and an experienced researcher and author of books related to the GLBT community and gender variance. Detailed, up-to-date, and easy to read, this book should be the prime resource for parents of transgender children and teens, and anyone who deals with them.
The Transgender Child includes a Foreword by Dr. Norman Spack, our country's leading expert on the care and treatment of transgender children and youth. It is followed by a series of chapters dealing with all aspects of how to deal with the child, their family and friends, their schools and school administrators and staff. Also included are excellent chapters on medical care and legal issues unique to these children.
Everyone who deals with a transgender child should have and read a copy of this book. It is especially valuable when dealing with those unfamiliar with the transgender experience - whether they are family members, neighbors, teachers, or the local Department Family Services. The Transgender Child adds the authority of leading professionals to any discussion of the child's care and treatment.
I recommend it highly!

This book is exceptional. I am a 27 year old, typically gendered female. I do not know any transgendered people nor do I know anyone who is related to any transgendered people. I purchased this book to understand something that I know very little about.

This book is very easy to read and doesn't faff around. It covers a lot of different issues and the quotes from the families and children are beautiful and inciteful.

I think everyone should read this book and this should definitely be given to everyone studying psychology and medicine out there in the world.

This is the best book I've read on Transgender Children. It has valuable information, and is wonderful to share with schools, doctors, etc (I purchased extras to give away as needed). It was written in a manner that is easily understood, as well as including great resources.

If we think about our own and others' experiences of gender identity, whether we are more gender-typical adults (cis-gendered) or transgender, then we know that one's sense of gender is not a decision and gender non-conformity is not a frivolous choice. Rather, gender is a component of all of our most innate selves. Research supports this view. Most parents do not expect to have a transgender, gender variant, or gender fluid child, so what to do when our young children show us consistently that their gender identities do not align with typical expectations following from their biological sex? Or when older children come out and tell their families that their gender identities are not what has been assumed? This unparalleled book by an author with deep experience educating families and institutions on gender identity, especially in children, and another with academic experience in LGBT studies, now makes available to many more families, as well as professionals working with children (who will certainly encounter some gender non-conformers!), very practical advice in the imperative work of supporting these kids, as well as much needed affirmation in doing so. Topics covered include, importantly: sensitivity, schools, extended family, faith communities, and the medical and legal systems. With nuanced understanding, this balanced book does not "diagnose" kids as simply transgender or not, but rather explores the normal and wide range of gender variation in children and how we can support all of them to be their truest and healthiest selves. The many voices (in direct quotes) of gender non-conforming children, their families, and various professionals make the reading all the more compelling. This book should be mandatory reading for the world, but especially for any professionals working with children, and families with children who fall outside current gender norms.

This book was recommended to me by an Aunt after we sent out an email letting our family and friends know that our daughter would now be living as our son. I can not tell you enough how many questions this book answered and how much comfort it gave me to know that my questions weren't unique they were common.
And when it came time for our son to attend school as his new self this book went along for the ride. I offered it to teachers, principles, and any other person who seemed to need more information and understanding. The best part was this book does not point a finger or try to change peoples religious or political views which I sometimes find pushes people away from excepting. Instead this book just gives the facts, it tells you the details of everything on what to expect, how to talk to doctors, and what the laws are for trans children. My favorite part was at the end when it gave letter examples that your local doctor could follow to hand out to schools and other areas where you might need one.
This book has become my guide and I reference it often.

After having had the psychiatric community tell them that reparative therapy was what their children needed, and after that therapy failed and made their children even more miserable in the process, parents of transgender and gender non-conforming children finally have hope. The Handbook is a compassionate resource that includes tips for on how to deal with the social, psychological, educational, medical and legal consequences of accepting a child as transgender or gender non-conforming. The book includes a foreword by leading expert in the United States on the care of transgender youth, Dr. Norman Spack of the Gender Management Service clinic of Children's Hospital Boston.

"The Transgender Child" goes through the current psychological research surrounding raising transgender and gender variant children. Main message: love your child. It then goes through the legal precautions you may consider, as well as how to make sure your child's school is working hard in his/her best interest. It is clear and straightforward. I loved all of the quotes and messages from transgender children and their families. I think they could have used more research references. The section on the education system was helpful to me, although I think that more training is necessary in addition to this book.

I found this book an excellent introduction to a complicated subject. I think it is an excellent resource for parents of transgender children but also for professionals who may not be very familiar with the topic.

Stephanie Brill is a genius! She has empowered me to help my child authentically become who she is. My child now expresses herself, accepts herself, and proudly embraces who she truly is because of Brill and Pepper.

As a therapist myself, I see the overwhelming need for families and children that are going through similar issues to receive some of the valuable insights in this book. Brill is the Erik Erickson, of Developmental Stages and the Transgendered Child!

I hope others use these ideas, recommendations, and suggestions when coming into contact with any children/adolescents who may have questions regarding his/her gender identity in relation to who they are and where they belong in the world.

If you are a parent of a TG child or you are dealing with a TG child this is a very good book that covers a lot of useful information. The biggest single peace of advice is "Communication". At each stage of the transition or at the time of transition communication has to be exercised. The book does not recommend to advertise the fact about a child who is transitioning, it is learning to communicate effectively with those who need to know and to let the child have a say in who knows. Another point is respect, showing the child respect and what adults preach about respect is true. Another book I cried with, got angry about what some people think is best, and I cheered for those who could be themselves. The book does cover the many of the different sections of the TG spectrum and gives suggestions on how to handle them; with each area of suggestions it is recommend to utilize a therapist which has a good understanding of TG issues.