The Task Force on Differences of Sex Development (DSD) is are charged with:
- Reviewing the extant research, psychological literature, and APA policies in this area to identify gaps in knowledge, ongoing controversies, and ethical issues for psychologists
- Recommending actions for education, training, practice, policy, and further research into these topics
- Proposing how APA can best meet the needs of psychologists and students with DSD characteristics
- Recommending appropriate collaboration with other professional organizations concerning these issues
- Identify what other effective and appropriate products APA could or should develop to address this topic area
Each task force member brings a unique perspective to the experiences of intersex individuals, as well as the lived experience of intersex individuals and their parents. The composition provides an even mix of professionals who work with or have written extensively about intersex populations and topic experts personally affected by DSD.
The scope of the task force’s professional connections to the issue include representation from the fields of bioethics, medicine (including surgery and urology), microbiology and molecular genetics, nursing, psychology and clinical psychology, sociology, patient advocacy, and representation of intersex advocacy organizations.