Gender Development Program

Gender development services at Lurie Children's are outpatient services aimed at supporting the physical, mental and social health of patients and their families as youth progress through gender identity development. As specialists in pediatric and adolescent gender development, we recognize that when it comes to providing effective care, each patient and family has unique needs. Therefore, our goal is to keep our families informed of their treatment options, supporting them with medical and behavioral health care along the way.

Patients come to our gender identity clinic to receive high-quality, family-centered care. New patients may begin care with us up to age 22. Patients may continue services in our programs until their 25th birthday. 

Our patients generally fall within one or more of the following groups:

  • Gender expansive or gender non-conforming children: Children and adolescents who exhibit behavior that is not typical of their assigned birth sex.
  • Gender-questioning youth: Children and adolescents who are questioning their gender identities (e.g., “I was born a girl, but I wonder if I’m really a boy?”).
  • Transgender and gender-fluid youth: Children and adolescents who identify as a gender different from their assigned birth sex (e.g., “I was born a girl, but I am really a boy.”).

Our Philosophy

For even the most loving, affirming and resilient families, navigating childhood gender identity development can be confusing. It can become more challenging as our patients and their families encounter difficulties posed by others, including extended family members, school officials and other community members. We help navigate these challenges by providing our families with education, exceptional and affirming clinical care, support, and ongoing consultation to ensure that children and families flourish safely in an environment that is both nurturing and affirming.

Appointments

To request an initial appointment with our Gender Development Program, please call 1.800.543.7362 (1.800.KIDS DOC). Because no two patients’ needs are the same, our program social worker will help you determine details of your first visit. 

Follow-Up Appointment with Behavioral Health Providers

To schedule a follow-up appointment with any of our behavioral health providers, please call 312.227.5096.

Follow-Up Appointment with Medical Providers

To schedule a follow-up appointment with any of our medical providers, please call our office at 312.227.6800 and choose option 3, then option 4.

Medical Trainees in the Gender Development Program

Lurie Children’s is a teaching hospital committed to the training of medical students, residents, and fellows. If you are a medical trainee seeking education/training within the Gender Development Program, please call 312.227.6800.

Philanthropy

Your support is vital in helping us continue to make a difference in the lives of patients and families. The Potocsnak Family Division of Adolescent and Young Adult Medicine relies on philanthropic funding to enhance its programs, services and research for adolescents and young adults. To learn more, please e-mail the Ann Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago Foundation at foundation@luriechildrens.org or call 312.227.7500