Parents at a Raytown elementary school have received a letter notifying them that a student previously known as a boy will now be recognized as a girl.

Advertisement Raytown school notifies parents about student's gender change Counselor says students who deal with issue at early age often adjust better Share Shares Copy Link Copy

Parents at a Raytown elementary school have received a letter notifying them that a student previously known as a boy will now be recognized as a girl.The letter went out to parents who have students at Robinson Elementary School last Friday. It said that a male student who has been known as Adam has returned to school as a female with the new preferred name of Jasmine. The letter asked students and parents to treat everyone at school as they would want to be treated.The district said it had no additional comment on the situation.Some Kansas City-area experts in the area of transgender issues said having very young people raise questions about their gender may be rare, but it's not unheard of."This is not about who you want to be. This is what you are," said Caroline Gibbs, of the Transgender Institute. "This is a genetic, medical condition, hardwired. One is born with it.""Gender identity is separate from sexual orientation," said Jessica Farmer, a counselor who works with gay and transgender youth. "They are two separate things. So if you ask a young person if they're male or female, they'll usually have an answer."Farmer said very young people and their families who deal with these issues at an early age usually have fewer problems adjusting than those who deal with them later on.Parents at the school said the age of the child was surprising."I am surprised it happened at the elementary level, yes I am. But, freedom, freedom," said Leon Morgan."I don't know what to think, honestly," said parent Leah Yzagguire. "I think it's kind of sad. I think they're a little small, but I really don't know. I just tell my kids to make sure you're nice to everybody."Experts said gender confusion is a medical condition that may be connected to genetics.