F81.81 Disorder of written expression

Billable ICD-10-CM code, FY2026.

Applicable to

• Specific learning disorder, with impairment in written expression
• Specific spelling disorder

MS-DRG index

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

Approximate ICD-9-CM (GEMs)

• 315.09 Other specific developmental reading disorder (approximate)
• 315.2 Other specific developmental learning difficulties (approximate)

Code annotations containing back-references to F81.81

Back-references to F81.81

• Type 2 Excludes: F81.2 Mathematics disorder ("arithmetical difficulties associated with a spelling disorder (F81.81)")

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 F81.81

• Agraphia (absolute) › developmental
• Delay, delayed › development › spelling
• Development › delayed › spelling
• Development › delayed › written expression
• Difficult, difficulty (in) › spelling (specific)
• Disability, disabilities › spelling, specific
• Disorder (of) › developmental › expressive writing
• Disorder (of) › developmental › written expression
• Disorder (of) › learning (specific) › specified › with impairment in › written expression
• Disorder (of) › learning (specific) › spelling
• Disorder (of) › learning (specific) › written expression
• Disorder (of) › specific › spelling
• Disorder (of) › specific › written expression
• Disorder (of) › spelling (specific)
• Retardation › spelling (specific) (without reading disorder)

Nearby codes

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