Robert and Danielle instituted an "only-in-the-house" rule when their son Armand was around 5, a modest effort to save him from himself.

But one day, Robert came home early and found Armand out front in the middle of their cul-de-sac. He was wearing a poodle skirt, swaying back and forth, singing.

This obsession with female clothing had started early, when Armand was around 2.

After many years, the family found a psychologist who had experience with gender issues.

the therapist gave them a diagnosis: gender identity disorder.

The doctor explained that their son would, in all likelihood, grow up to be transgender — someone who lives as a member of the opposite sex.

Robert and Danielle say that at this point the diagnosis was more of a relief than a shock.

"We knew that puberty was around the corner and we needed to start looking into ... what do we do,"

The treatment allows kids to postpone puberty and avoid developing the physical attributes of the sex they were born with.