Version 2024

2024 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code F81

Specific developmental disorders of scholastic skills

ICD-10-CM Code:
F81
ICD-10 Code for:
Specific developmental disorders of scholastic skills
Is Billable?
Not Valid for Submission
Code Navigator:

Code Classification

  • Mental and behavioural disorders
    (F01–F99)
    • Pervasive and specific developmental disorders
      (F80-F89)
      • Specific developmental disorders of scholastic skills
        (F81)

F81 is a non-specific and non-billable diagnosis code code, consider using a code with a higher level of specificity for a diagnosis of specific developmental disorders of scholastic skills. The code is not specific and is NOT valid for the year 2024 for the submission of HIPAA-covered transactions. Category or Header define the heading of a category of codes that may be further subdivided by the use of 4th, 5th, 6th or 7th characters.

Specific Coding Applicable to Specific developmental disorders of scholastic skills

Non-specific codes like F81 require more digits to indicate the appropriate level of specificity. Consider using any of the following ICD-10-CM codes with a higher level of specificity when coding for specific developmental disorders of scholastic skills:

  • Use F81.0 for Specific reading disorder - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use F81.2 for Mathematics disorder - BILLABLE CODE

  • F81.8 for Other developmental disorders of scholastic skills - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use F81.81 for Disorder of written expression - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use F81.89 for Other developmental disorders of scholastic skills - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use F81.9 for Developmental disorder of scholastic skills, unspecified - BILLABLE CODE

Patient Education


Learning Disabilities

What is a learning disability?

Learning disabilities are conditions that affect the ability to learn. They can cause problems with:

  • Understanding what people are saying
  • Speaking
  • Reading
  • Writing
  • Doing math
  • Paying attention

Often, children have more than one kind of learning disability. They may also have another condition, such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), which can make learning even more of a challenge.

What causes learning disabilities?

Learning disabilities don't have anything to do with intelligence. They are caused by differences in the brain, and they affect the way the brain processes information. These differences are usually present at birth. But there are certain factors that can play a role in the development of a learning disability, including:

  • Genetics
  • Environmental exposures (such as lead)
  • Problems during pregnancy (such as the mother's drug use)

How do I know if my child has a learning disability?

The earlier you can find and treat a learning disability, the better. Unfortunately, learning disabilities are usually not recognized until a child is in school. If you notice that your child is struggling, talk to your child's teacher or health care provider about an evaluation for a learning disability. The evaluation may include a medical exam, a discussion of family history, and intellectual and school performance testing.

What are the treatments for learning disabilities?

The most common treatment for learning disabilities is special education. A teacher or other learning specialist can help your child learn skills by building on strengths and finding ways to make up for weaknesses. Educators may try special teaching methods, make changes to the classroom, or use technologies that can assist your child's learning needs. Some children also get help from tutors or speech or language therapists.

A child with a learning disability may struggle with low self-esteem, frustration, and other problems. Mental health professionals can help your child understand these feelings, develop coping tools, and build healthy relationships.

If your child has another condition such as ADHD, he or she will need treatment for that condition as well.

NIH: National Institute of Child Health and Human Development


[Learn More in MedlinePlus]

Code History

  • FY 2024 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2023 through 9/30/2024
  • FY 2023 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2022 through 9/30/2023
  • FY 2022 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2021 through 9/30/2022
  • FY 2021 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2020 through 9/30/2021
  • FY 2020 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2019 through 9/30/2020
  • FY 2019 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2018 through 9/30/2019
  • FY 2018 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2017 through 9/30/2018
  • FY 2017 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2016 through 9/30/2017
  • FY 2016 - New Code, effective from 10/1/2015 through 9/30/2016. This was the first year ICD-10-CM was implemented into the HIPAA code set.