F81.0 Specific reading disorder

Billable ICD-10-CM code, FY2026.

Applicable to

• 'Backward reading'
• Developmental dyslexia
• Specific learning disorder, with impairment in reading
• Specific reading retardation

Excludes1 (never code together)

• alexia NOS (R48.0)
• dyslexia NOS (R48.0)

MS-DRG index

Defines the logic of DRG(s) 886 in MDC 19.

Approximate ICD-9-CM (GEMs)

• 315.00 Developmental reading disorder, unspecified (approximate)
• 315.02 Developmental dyslexia (approximate)

Code annotations containing back-references to F81.0

Back-references to F81.0

• Type 2 Excludes: F81.2 Mathematics disorder ("arithmetical difficulties associated with a reading disorder (F81.0)")

Back-references to F81

• Code Also: G93.45 Developmental and epileptic encephalopathy ("developmental disorders of scholastic skills (F81.-)")
• Type 1 Excludes: R48 Dyslexia and other symbolic dysfunctions, not elsewhere classified ("specific developmental disorders of scholastic skills (F81.-)")
• Code Also: Z15.1 Genetic susceptibility to epilepsy and neurodevelopmental disorders ("developmental disorders of scholastic skills (F81.-)")
• Type 1 Excludes: Z55 Problems related to education and literacy ("disorders of psychological development (F80-F89)")

Diagnosis Index entries for F81.0

• Alexia › developmental
• Backward reading (dyslexia)
• Blindness (acquired) (congenital) (both eyes) › word (developmental)
• Delay, delayed › development › reading
• Development › delayed › reading
• Difficult, difficulty (in) › reading (developmental)
• Disorder (of) › developmental › learning › reading
• Disorder (of) › developmental › reading
• Disorder (of) › learning (specific) › reading
• Disorder (of) › learning (specific) › specified › with impairment in › reading
• Disorder (of) › reading › developmental (specific)
• Disorder (of) › specific › reading
• Dyslexia › developmental
• Mirror writing
• Retardation › reading (specific)
• Strephosymbolia
• Word › blindness (congenital) (developmental)

Nearby codes

• F81 Specific developmental disorders of scholastic skills
• F81.0 Specific reading disorder (this code)
• F81.2 Mathematics disorder
• F81.8 Other developmental disorders of scholastic skills
• F81.81 Disorder of written expression
• F81.89 Other developmental disorders of scholastic skills
• F81.9 Developmental disorder of scholastic skills, unspecified