Brochures

Here you will find the latest information to give to patients, friends, and family members affected by Intersex/ Differences of Sex Development. Complete with photos, helpful advice, and checklists, it makes a wonderful resource for clinicians to use, or for those just learning about our community. We have two options, that are great to use together or separately. The first is our group brochure, and the second is designed specifically for newly diagnosed teens. Often times there is a lot of information presented at once during a diagnosis, and this option allows the teen to take something to read and access later on their own time. For your convenience, both are available on the left side bar for you to save, print and/or share!

National Conferences:

Our Annual Conference is held every summer, and for many is the first time to meet another person who is intersex, or family touched by DSD. People travel from all over the world to attend workshops, lectures, and sharing sessions to receive the information, camaraderie and support not available to them anywhere else. Seminars and workshops are offered on DSD health, psychosocial support, legal/ethical issues and the history of DSD and our group. Programming is designed for men, women, and all gender expressions in intersex and DSD as well as our teen population, parents and families. The weekend would not be complete without the amazing and fun entertainment with dinner on Friday and Saturday nights. While it is a structured weekend, many people feel the chance to informally chat and connect with others is life-changing for them and/or for their child.

The following video, courtesy of the Interface Project, provides the insights and reflections of first time attendee, Sean Saifa Wall of Atlanta Georgia.

Accredited Continuing Medical Education, (CME) Conference:

Part of the mission for the advancement of knowledge, AIS-DSD Support Group offers a day of professional development for medical and behavioral health providers and researchers which consists of seminar topics covering the latest advances in DSD care and research, effective DSD clinic and team development, as well as panels of affected individuals who offer their perspectives to treatment professionals in addition to answering questions from the audience. For most medical professionals, this is the first to time to speak with teens, parents, and adults with DSD outside of the medical practice. Overall, it is a very positive experience. Continuing Education Credits (CECs) are available for attendees.

Past Seminar Topics Have Included:

• Adolescents and DSD Care
• The Biology of Gender Identity: Current Concepts
• Collaborating for Future Research Priorities
• DSD Teams and Support Group Collaboration
• Ethical Considerations in the Management of DSD
• Helping Families to Improve Wellbeing: Goals and Communication
• Making A Successful DSD Multidisciplinary Team
• Non-Directive Counseling and Cultural Sensitivity
• Novel Approaches to the Diagnosis of DSD
• Sexual Health From Pediatric/Adolescent Gynecologists
• Surgery and the Biopsychosocial Model of Care

DSD Clinic Support:

The multidisciplinary team approach has been popular and in many cases successful in treating children with Differences of Sex Development. However, it can be difficult for a team to meet the psychological needs of many of their families and children in such a short time. Some of the most successful teams are those in collaboration with the support group, providing patient advocates, support opportunities, and a chance to meet others. In this way they are able to assist the whole patient, lowering the barriers created by stress and anxiety in appointments. This results in parents and children who are able to listen and retain helpful information for future care. Below you will find a link to a recent presentation from Denver’s SOAR Clinic and their successful approach, along with a video from a hospital volunteer and patient advocate.

SOAR Clinic Video Presentation