We learned our son thinks he is trans (20 years old). He has apparently been cross dressing since 10ish and has (without our knowledge) been researching transitioin on the internet since he was allowed to be on the internet. Now he wants HRT. I do not believe he is ROGD, I believe this is a long standing issue. He is not girly or interested in girl things at all. He is brilliant and socially awkward and we believe autistic (high functioning). What can we do?
Hi Mary, sorry for the late reply here: that's really difficult. As for what you can do, it depends on a lot of factors, including the strength of your relationship, his receptivity to having conversations and the nature of his current social environment. If you'd like to check out my parent coaching services you can learn more here: https://www.subscribestar.com/sashalpc
Sasha, my concern about AGP tendencies in boys/young men is that it seems like a red flag for possible sexual abuse or trauma. In a more benign situation, it's a stereotypical story of a boy who is jealous of preferential treatment / cuter toys his sister gets. In a more sinister situation, it can result from sexual abuse. I just have a hard time seeing AGP feelings arising naturally, like attraction to others (same sex or opposite sex). The concept of attraction to self and attraction to others being on a spectrum, doesn't really make intuitive sense to me.
I certainly understand that. In some cases, it very well might be related to abuse. However, in my clinical experience, that is not always the case and sometimes these feelings do emerge in the absence of specific triggers or traumas.
We learned our son thinks he is trans (20 years old). He has apparently been cross dressing since 10ish and has (without our knowledge) been researching transitioin on the internet since he was allowed to be on the internet. Now he wants HRT. I do not believe he is ROGD, I believe this is a long standing issue. He is not girly or interested in girl things at all. He is brilliant and socially awkward and we believe autistic (high functioning). What can we do?
Hi Mary, sorry for the late reply here: that's really difficult. As for what you can do, it depends on a lot of factors, including the strength of your relationship, his receptivity to having conversations and the nature of his current social environment. If you'd like to check out my parent coaching services you can learn more here: https://www.subscribestar.com/sashalpc
or here: https://sashaayad.substack.com/p/book-a-consult-with-me
Sasha, my concern about AGP tendencies in boys/young men is that it seems like a red flag for possible sexual abuse or trauma. In a more benign situation, it's a stereotypical story of a boy who is jealous of preferential treatment / cuter toys his sister gets. In a more sinister situation, it can result from sexual abuse. I just have a hard time seeing AGP feelings arising naturally, like attraction to others (same sex or opposite sex). The concept of attraction to self and attraction to others being on a spectrum, doesn't really make intuitive sense to me.
I certainly understand that. In some cases, it very well might be related to abuse. However, in my clinical experience, that is not always the case and sometimes these feelings do emerge in the absence of specific triggers or traumas.