The ICF and Male-to-Female Transsexual Communication

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this article is to describe the assessment and treatment of communication in male-to-female transsexual individuals, within the context of the World Health Organization's International Classification of Functioning Disability and Health (ICF) framework. Structural and functional impairments, activity limitations, and participation restrictions specific to male-to-female transsexual communication are discussed, as well as environmental and personal factors that facilitate or prevent communicative success. Further, assessment and treatment of communication in transsexual individuals is described within the ICF framework, and the merits and unique considerations of using the ICF with this population is described.

KEYWORDS:

• Transsexual
• transgender
• gender dysphoria
• International Classification of Functioning Disability and Health (IFC)
• communication

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Thank you to Joanne Volden, PhD, and Johanna Darrah, PhD, at the University of Alberta for their helpful comments on previous versions of this manuscript.