The Trans Team at the Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Department (BUGL) of Landspítali provides assessment and treatment for individuals under the age of 18 who experience incongruence between their gender identity and the sex assigned to them at birth and who seek information about or access to medical interventions.

Useful materials for parents/legal guardians/family members of trans children and adolescents: Educational material on gender identity on Heilsuvera

"Some children explore their gender from an early age and become, in a way, gender explorers. It is important to give them the space to do so and the opportunity to live outside traditional gender stereotypes. Therefore, it is essential to meet children where they are and create an environment free from prejudice, expectations, and pressure. Services for trans children can take many forms; however, professional services may not be necessary in all cases. The need for services is based on the well-being of the child or young person, gender dysphoria, pubertal development, and the potential need for interventions.”

See some educational material on gender identity on Heilsuvera

Services at the BUGL outpatient clinic begin with the assessment team. There, an evaluation is carried out to identify possible biological and psychosocial challenges. The duration of the assessment process varies between individuals. Once the work of the assessment team is completed, a treatment plan is developed if needed.

Services provided by the Trans Team begin when the individual meets with a member of the Trans Team for an interview. The work within the Trans Team may take varying amounts of time. It is important that the team gains the best possible understanding of the young person’s situation and well-being and provides holistic support throughout the process. The team places strong emphasis on good collaboration and trust between the team’s professionals, the child/young person, and their legal guardians.

The team follows the WPATH Standards of Care in its clinical work, as well as international clinical guidelines from endocrinology specialists, and emphasizes stepwise decision-making in the assessment and treatment process in accordance with the Act on Gender Autonomy.

It is important to note that, pursuant to Article 11 / Article 11(a) of the Act on Gender Autonomy, permanent changes to the genitals, gonads, or sex characteristics of individuals under the age of 16 are not provided for, unless physical health reasons require such interventions. Permanent changes include, among other things, surgical procedures, pharmacological treatments, and other irreversible medical interventions. The team allows a minimum period of 6–12 months to become acquainted with the client and to assess the prerequisites for initiating the interventions requested by the individual, as well as to evaluate support needs in relation to potential treatment.Once the team considers the assessment period to be complete, a decision is made regarding further steps. Referrals are made to pediatric endocrinologists or other relevant professionals, as appropriate.Individuals are referred to the Adult Trans Team upon reaching 18 years of age, where applicable.