2026 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code F89

Unspecified disorder of psychological development

ICD-10-CM Code:
F89
ICD-10 Code for:
Unspecified disorder of psychological development
Is Billable?
Yes - Valid for Submission
Chronic Condition Indicator: [1]
Not chronic
Code Navigator:

F89 is a billable diagnosis code used to specify a medical diagnosis of unspecified disorder of psychological development. The code is valid during the current fiscal year for the submission of HIPAA-covered transactions from October 01, 2025 through September 30, 2026.

Unspecified diagnosis codes like F89 are acceptable when clinical information is unknown or not available about a particular condition. Although a more specific code is preferable, unspecified codes should be used when such codes most accurately reflect what is known about a patient's condition. Specific diagnosis codes should not be used if not supported by the patient's medical record.

Code Classification

  • Mental and behavioural disorders
    F01–F99
    • Pervasive and specific developmental disorders
      F80-F89
      • Unspecified disorder of psychological development
        F89

Approximate Synonyms

The following list of clinical terms are approximate synonyms, alternative descriptions, or common phrases that might be used by patients, healthcare providers, or medical coders to describe the same condition. These synonyms and related diagnosis terms are often used when searching for an ICD-10 code, especially when the exact medical terminology is unclear. Whether you're looking for lay terms, similar diagnosis names, or common language alternatives, this list can help guide you to the correct ICD-10 classification.

  • Acanthosis nigricans
  • Achondrogenesis
  • Achondroplasia
  • Axonal neuropathy
  • Body height below reference range
  • CCNK-related neurodevelopmental disorder, severe intellectual disability, facial dysmorphism syndrome
  • CHD3-related developmental delay, speech delay, intellectual disability, abnormalities of vision, facial dysmorphism syndrome
  • CHD4-related neurodevelopmental disorder
  • CNTNAP2-related developmental and epileptic encephalopathy
  • Congenital contracture of limbs and face, hypotonia, developmental delay syndrome
  • Cortical blindness
  • Developmental disorder
  • Developmental hereditary disorder
  • Developmental mental disorder
  • Developmentally disabled
  • Disorder of psychological development
  • Early childhood developmental disability
  • Hyperkinesis with developmental delay
  • Hyperkinetic syndrome with developmental delay
  • Immuno-osseous dysplasia
  • Insulin resistance
  • Left ventricular myocardial noncompaction cardiomyopathy
  • Lethal left ventricular non-compaction, seizures, hypotonia, cataract, developmental delay syndrome
  • Macrocephaly, intellectual disability, neurodevelopmental disorder, small thorax syndrome
  • Macroencephaly
  • Macrothrombocytopenia, lymphedema, developmental delay, facial dysmorphism, camptodactyly syndrome
  • Malabsorption of glucose
  • Megakaryocytic thrombocytopenia
  • Microcephalic primordial dwarfism, insulin resistance syndrome
  • Neurodevelopmental delay, hypotonia, cerebellar ataxia, cardiac conduction defects syndrome
  • Neurodevelopmental delay, intellectual disability, ataxia, feeding difficulty syndrome
  • Neurodevelopmental disorder
  • Neurodevelopmental disorder due to maternal use of alcohol
  • Neurodevelopmental disorder, craniofacial dysmorphism, cardiac defect, skeletal anomalies syndrome
  • Ocular anomalies, axonal neuropathy, developmental delay syndrome
  • Oculogastrointestinal neurodevelopmental syndrome
  • Palatal anomalies, widely spaced teeth, facial dysmorphism, developmental delay syndrome
  • Pervasive developmental disorder with cognitive developmental delay and complete impairment of functional language
  • Pervasive developmental disorder with cognitive developmental delay and marked impairment of functional language
  • Pili torti
  • Pili torti with developmental delay and neurological abnormality syndrome
  • Progressive microcephaly, seizures, cortical blindness, developmental delay syndrome
  • RERE-related neurodevelopmental syndrome
  • Secondary neurodevelopmental disorder
  • Severe achondroplasia, developmental delay, acanthosis nigricans syndrome
  • Severe hypotonia, psychomotor developmental delay, strabismus, cardiac septal defect syndrome
  • Severe neurodevelopmental disorder with feeding difficulties, stereotypic hand movement, bilateral cataract
  • Skeletal dysplasia, T-cell immunodeficiency, developmental delay syndrome
  • Spastic paraplegia, severe developmental delay, epilepsy syndrome
  • Speech delay
  • Speech delay
  • Speech delay
  • Speech delay
  • TELO2-related intellectual disability, neurodevelopmental disorder
  • Tic due to developmental disorder
  • Ventricular myocardial noncompaction cardiomyopathy
  • WAC-related facial dysmorphism, developmental delay, behavioral abnormalities syndrome

Clinical Classification

Clinical Classifications group individual ICD-10-CM diagnosis codes into broader, clinically meaningful categories. These categories help simplify complex data by organizing related conditions under common clinical themes.

They are especially useful for data analysis, reporting, and clinical decision-making. Even when diagnosis codes differ, similar conditions can be grouped together based on their clinical relevance. Each category is assigned a unique CCSR code that represents a specific clinical concept, often tied to a body system or medical specialty.

Neurodevelopmental disorders

CCSR Code: MBD014

Inpatient Default: Y - Yes, default inpatient assignment for principal diagnosis or first-listed diagnosis.

Outpatient Default: Y - Yes, default outpatient assignment for principal diagnosis or first-listed diagnosis.

Clinical Information

  • Acanthosis Nigricans

    a circumscribed melanosis consisting of a brown-pigmented, velvety verrucosity or fine papillomatosis appearing in the axillae and other body folds. it occurs in association with endocrine disorders, underlying malignancy, administration of certain drugs, or as in inherited disorder.
  • Insulin Resistance

    diminished effectiveness of insulin in lowering blood sugar levels: requiring the use of 200 units or more of insulin per day to prevent hyperglycemia or ketosis.
  • Metabolic Syndrome

    a cluster of symptoms that are risk factors for cardiovascular diseases and type 2 diabetes mellitus. the major components of metabolic syndrome include abdominal obesity; atherogenic dyslipidemia; hypertension; hyperglycemia; insulin resistance; a proinflammatory state; and a prothrombotic (thrombosis) state.
  • Achondroplasia

    an autosomal dominant disorder that is the most frequent form of short-limb dwarfism. affected individuals exhibit short stature caused by rhizomelic shortening of the limbs, characteristic facies with frontal bossing and mid-face hypoplasia, exaggerated lumbar lordosis, limitation of elbow extension, genu varum, and trident hand. (online mendelian inheritance in man, http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/omim, mim#100800, april 20, 2001)
  • Intellectual Developmental Disorder with Hypotonia, Impaired Speech, and Dysmorphic Facies|IDDHISD

    an autosomal dominant condition caused by mutation(s) in the tnpo2 gene, encoding transportin-2. it is characterized by intellectual developmental disorder with hypotonia, impaired speech, and dysmorphic facies (iddhisd).
  • Intellectual Developmental Disorder, Autosomal Dominant 42|MRD42

    an autosomal dominant subtype of intellectual developmental disorder caused by mutation(s) in the gnb1 gene, encoding guanine nucleotide-binding protein g(i)/g(s)/g(t) subunit beta-1.
  • Neurodevelopmental Disorder with Cardiomyopathy, Spasticity, and Brain Abnormalities|NEDCASB

    an autosomal recessive condition caused by mutation(s) in the shmt2 gene, encoding serine hydroxymethyltransferase, mitochondrial. it is characterized by global neurodevelopmental delay, severely impaired intellectual development, poor overall growth, and spasticity of the lower limbs. most affected individuals also have progressive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in childhood or cardiac developmental anomalies.
  • Neurodevelopmental Disorder with Epilepsy, Spasticity, and Brain Atrophy|NEDESBA

    an autosomal recessive condition caused by mutation(s) in the trappc4 gene, encoding trafficking protein particle complex subunit 4. it is characterized by severely impaired global development, seizures during infancy, lack of psychomotor progress, hypotonia, peripheral spasticity with contractures, cortical visual impairment, and dysmorphia, including microcephaly.
  • Neurodevelopmental Disorder with Language Impairment, Autism, and Attention Deficit-Hyperactivity Disorder|NEDLAAD

    an autosomal dominant condition caused by mutation(s) in the caprin1 gene, encoding caprin-1. it is characterized by speech and motor delays, language difficulties, behavioral abnormalities, variably impaired intellectual development, mild ocular and distal skeletal anomalies, and nonspecific dysmorphic features.
  • Achondrogenesis

    a rare group of disorders characterized by defective development of bones and cartilage.
  • Type II Achondrogenesis|Achondrogenesis, Type II|Hypochondrogenesis|Langer-Saldino Achondrogenesis

    an autosomal dominant condition caused by mutation(s) in the col2a1 gene, encoding collagen alpha-1(ii) chain. it is the most severe of a spectrum of disorders caused by mutations in the col2a1 gene, characterized by short limbs, small chest and lungs, and abnormal ossification of the spine and pelvis. often, infants die at birth or shortly thereafter.
  • Acanthosis Nigricans

    a melanotic cutaneous lesion that develops in the axilla and other body folds. it may be idiopathic, drug-induced, or it may be associated with the presence of an endocrine disorder or malignancy.
  • Hyperandrogenism, Insulin Resistance, Acanthosis Nigricans Syndrome|HAIR-AN Syndrome

    a condition characterized by hyperandrogenism, insulin resistance, and acanthosis nigricans, typically associated with obesity in teenage girls. it is considered to be a subtype of polycystic ovarian syndrome, but may occur in male individuals. etiology is unclear, but some cases may be associated with mutations affecting the tyrosine kinase domain of the insulin receptor.
  • Insulin Resistant Diabetes Mellitus with Acanthosis Nigricans and Hyperandrogenism|Type A Insulin Resistance Syndrome

    a syndrome of insulin resistance caused by mutation(s) in the insr gene, encoding the insulin receptor. this condition is characterized by a clinical triad of hyperinsulinemia, acanthosis nigricans, and hyperandrogenism without lipodystrophy. this is the least severe of a spectrum of disorders; the other two conditions are rabson-mendenhall syndrome and donohoe syndrome.
  • Alcohol Related Neurodevelopmental Disorder|ARND

    a cognitive and neurological disorder due to fetal intrauterine exposure to maternal alcohol consumption. typically, this presents without facies or other growth abnormalities.
  • Autism Spectrum Disorder|Pervasive Developmental Disorders

    a spectrum of developmental disorders that includes autism, asperger syndrome, and rett syndrome. signs and symptoms include poor communication skills, defective social interactions, and repetitive behaviors.
  • Dental Developmental Disorder|Tooth Development Disorder|Tooth development disorder

    a disorder of the teeth arising during odontogenesis.
  • Developmental Disorder

    a disorder diagnosed in childhood that is marked by either physical or mental impairment or both, which in turn affects the child from achieving age related developmental milestones.
  • Fetal Neurodevelopmental Disorder

    a fetal affliction that has a neurological basis and manifests as a developmental disability.
  • Intellectual Developmental Disorder with Cardiac Arrhythmia|IDDCA

    an autosomal recessive condition caused by mutation(s) in the gnb5 gene, encoding guanine nucleotide-binding protein subunit beta-5. it is characterized by severe intellectual disability, poor speech acquisition, and cardiac arrhythmia. biallelic missense mutation in the gnb5 gene can cause language delay and attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder/cognitive impairment with or without cardiac arrhythmia, which is a less-severe disorder with overlapping features.
  • Intellectual Developmental Disorder, X-linked, Syndromic, Bain Type|Bain Type of X-linked Syndromic Intellectual Disability|MRXSB

    an x-linked dominant condition caused by mutation(s) in the hnrnph2 gene, encoding heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein h2. it is characterized by delayed psychomotor development, intellectual disability with behavioral abnormalities, and dysmorphic facial features in females.
  • Neurodevelopmental Disorder

    a childhood disorder that has a neurological basis and manifests as a developmental disability.
  • Neurodevelopmental Disorder with Brain Abnormalities, Poor Growth, and Dysmorphic Facies|Intellectual Disability-Strabismus Syndrome|NEDBGF

    an autosomal recessive disorder caused by mutation(s) in the adat3 gene, encoding probable inactive trna-specific adenosine deaminase-like protein 3. it is characterized by a neurodevelopmental disorder with brain abnormalities, poor growth, and abnormal facies.
  • Neurodevelopmental Disorder with Severe Motor Impairment, Absent Language, Cerebral Hypomyelination, and Brain Atrophy|NEDMLHB

    an autosomal recessive condition caused by mutations(s) in the taf8 gene, encoding transcription initiation factor tfiid subunit 8. it is characterized by severe motor impairment, absent language, cerebral hypomyelination, and brain atrophy.
  • Neurodevelopmental Disorder with Spastic Diplegia and Visual Defects|MRD19|Mental Retardation, Autosomal Dominant 19|NEDSDV

    an autosomal dominant condition caused by mutation(s) in the ctnnb1 gene, encoding catenin beta-1. it is characterized by severe intellectual disability, progressive spastic diplegia, visual impairment, and dysmorphic craniofacial features.
  • Pervasive Developmental Disorder

    a category of developmental disorders characterized by impaired communication and socialization skills. the impairments are incongruent with the individual's developmental level or mental age. these disorders can be associated with general medical or genetic conditions.
  • Acute Motor and Sensory Axonal Neuropathy|Acute Motor And Sensory Axonal Neuropathy|Acute Motor-Sensory Axonal Neuropathy|Acute Motor-Sensory Axonal Neuropathy

    a subtype of guillain-barre syndrome that targets sensory motor axons, and is characterized by acute onset of quadriparesis, distal sensory loss, areflexia, and respiratory insufficiency.
  • Acute Motor Axonal Neuropathy|AMAN

    a subtype of guillain-barre syndrome that targets motor axons, and is characterized by symmetric limb weakness, diffuse areflexia, facial and oropharyngeal muscle weakness, and respiratory insufficiency.
  • Axonal Neuropathy

    any nerve disorder affecting the axon of a nerve.
  • GAN wt Allele|GAN1|Giant Axonal Neuropathy (Gigaxonin) Gene|Gigaxonin wt Allele|KLHL16

    human gan wild-type allele is located in the vicinity of 16q24.1 and is approximately 65 kb in length. this allele, which encodes gigaxonin protein, is involved in both ubiquitination and neurofilament structure. mutation of the gene is associated with giant axonal neuropathy.
  • Giant Axonal Neuropathy

    a rare inherited disorder affecting the neurofilaments. it is caused by mutations in the gan gene. it is characterized by the presence of abnormally large nerve cell axons. signs and symptoms include difficulty walking, sensory disturbances, lack of motor coordination and abnormal reflexes in the limbs.
  • Spinocerebellar Ataxia, Autosomal Recessive, with Axonal Neuropathy 2|AOA2|Ataxia with Oculomotor Apraxia Type 2|SCAN2

    an autosomal recessive condition caused by mutation(s) in the setx gene, encoding probable helicase senataxin. it is characterized by juvenile onset progressive cerebellar ataxia, axonal sensorimotor peripheral neuropathy, and increased concentrations of serum alpha-fetoprotein. oculomotor apraxia is common, but is not always present.
  • Cortical Blindness

    visual impairment due to visual cortex dysfunction.
  • Homeostatic Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance

    an assessment of beta-cell function and insulin resistance based on fasting blood glucose and insulin concentrations.
  • Insulin Receptor Mutation - Associated Insulin Resistance Syndromes

    insulin resistance caused by inactivating mutation(s) in the insr gene encoding the insulin receptor.
  • Insulin Resistance

    decreased sensitivity to circulating insulin which may result in acanthosis nigicrans, elevated insulin level or hyperglycemia.
  • Insulin Resistance Measurement|INSULINR|Insulin Resistance|Insulin Resistance

    the determination of the insulin resistance (cells inability to respond to insulin) in a biological specimen.
  • Insulin Resistance Syndrome

    a cluster of closely related metabolic abnormalities associated with insulin resistance that confer an increased risk of the development of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. these abnormalities may include obesity, high blood pressure, abnormal cholesterol levels, proteinuria, and/or polycystic ovary syndrome.
  • Obesity-Associated Insulin Resistance

    insulin resistance associated with obesity, which may be attributed in part to impaired insulin signaling in target tissues, or impaired insulin-stimulated glucose transport due to reduced expression of the glucose transporter protein 4.
  • Achondroplasia

    an autosomal dominant disorder caused by mutation(s) in the fgfr3 gene, encoding fibroblast growth factor receptor 3. the condition is characterized by inappropriate cartilage growth plate differentiation and deficient endochondral growth, manifest clinically with severe rhizomelic short stature, short limbs, characteristic facies with frontal bossing and midface hypoplasia.
  • COMP wt Allele|Cartilage Oligomeric Matrix Protein (Pseudoachondroplasia, Epiphyseal Dysplasia 1, Multiple) Gene|Cartilage Oligomeric Matrix Protein wt Allele|Cartilage Oligomeric Matrix Protein(Pseudoachondroplasia, Epiphyseal Dysplasia 1, Multiple) Gene|EDM1|EPD1|MED|PSACH|Pseudoachondroplasia (Epiphyseal Dysplasia 1, Multiple) Gene|THBS5

    human comp wild-type allele is located in the vicinity of 19p13.1 and is approximately 9 kb in length. this allele, which encodes cartilage oligomeric matrix protein, is involved in cartilage structural integrity. mutation of the gene is associated with pseudoachondroplasia and multiple epiphyseal dysplasia 1.
  • FGFR3 wt Allele|ACH|Achondroplasia, Thanatophoric Dwarfism Gene|CD333|CEK2|FGFR3|Fibroblast Growth Factor Receptor 3 (Achondroplasia, Thanatophoric Dwarfism) Gene|Fibroblast Growth Factor Receptor 3 wt Allele|HSFGFR3EX|JTK4

    human fgfr3 wild-type allele is located in the vicinity of 4p16.3 and is approximately 15 kb in length. this allele, which encodes fibroblast growth factor receptor 3 protein, is involved in mitogenesis, differentiation, and bone development and maintenance. alterations in the gene resulting in defects cause, achondroplasia, crouzon syndrome, thanatophoric dysplasia, coronal synostosis, hypochondroplasia, bladder and cervix cancers.
  • Pseudoachondroplasia

    a rare, autosomal dominant inherited disorder caused by mutations in the comp gene. it is characterized by short stature, short arms and legs, waddling walk, osteoarthritis, and limited range of motion at the elbows and hips.
  • Intellectual Developmental Disorder, Autosomal Dominant 52|MRD52|Mental Retardation, Autosomal Dominant 52

    an autosomal dominant subtype of intellectual developmental disorder caused by mutation(s) in the ash1l gene, encoding histone-lysine n-methyltransferase ash1l.
  • Intellectual Developmental Disorder, X-Linked, Syndromic, Nascimento Type|MRXSN

    an x-linked recessive condition caused by mutation(s) in the ube2a gene, encoding ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme e2 a. it is characterized by facial dysmorphisms and intellectual impairment.
  • Neurodevelopmental Disorder with or without Autistic Features and/or Structural Brain Abnormalities|NEDASB

    an autosomal dominant condition caused by mutation(s) in the nova2 gene, encoding rna-binding protein nova-2. it is characterized by global developmental delay, impaired speech development, and behavioral characteristics of autism.
  • Neurodevelopmental Disorder with or without Hyperkinetic Movements and Seizures, Autosomal Dominant|NDHMSD

    an autosomal dominant condition caused by mutation(s) in the grin1 gene, encoding glutamate receptor ionotropic, nmda 1. it is characterized by developmental delay, intellectual disability and may include epilepsy and associated muscular disorders.
  • Neurodevelopmental Disorder with or without Variable Brain Abnormalities|NEDBA

    an autosomal dominant condition caused by mutation(s) in the mapk8ip3 gene, encoding c-jun-amino-terminal kinase-interacting protein 3. it is commonly characterized by global developmental delay, intellectual disability, and spastic diplegia. there may be associated brain abnormalities include cerebellar and/or cerebral atrophy, and hypoplasia of the corpus callosum.
  • X-Linked Syndromic Intellectual Developmental Disorder with Pigmentary Mosaicism and Coarse Facies|MRXSPF

    an x-linked condition caused by mutation(s) in the tfe3 gene, encoding transcription factor e3. it is characterized by a triad of developmental delay, blaschkoid pigmentary mosaicism, and characteristic coarse facial features.

Replaced Code

This code was replaced in the 2026 ICD-10-CM code set with the code(s) listed below. The National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) has published an update to the ICD-10-CM diagnosis codes which became effective October 1, 2025. This code was replaced for the FY 2026 (October 1, 2025 - September 30, 2026).


  • QA0.0101 - SCN2A-related neurodevelopmental disorder
  • QA0.0101 - SCN2A-related neurodevelopmental disorder
  • QA0.0102 - CACNA1A-related neurodevelopmental disorder
  • QA0.0102 - CACNA1A-related neurodevelopmental disorder
  • QA0.0109 - Neurodev disord rel to patho var in other ion channel gene
  • QA0.0109 - Neurodev disord rel to patho var in other ion channel gene
  • QA0.011 - Neurodev disord, rel to patho var in glutamate recept genes
  • QA0.011 - Neurodev disord, rel to patho var in glutamate recept genes
  • QA0.012 - Neurodev disord, related to patho var in other recept genes
  • QA0.012 - Neurodev disord, related to patho var in other recept genes
  • QA0.0131 - SLC6A1-related disorder
  • QA0.0131 - SLC6A1-related disorder
  • QA0.0139 - Neurodev dis,rel to patho var in oth trnsper or sol car gene
  • QA0.0139 - Neurodev dis,rel to patho var in oth trnsper or sol car gene
  • QA0.0141 - Syntaxin-binding protein 1-related disorder
  • QA0.0141 - Syntaxin-binding protein 1-related disorder
  • QA0.0142 - DLG4-related synaptopathy
  • QA0.0142 - DLG4-related synaptopathy
  • QA0.0149 - Neurodev disord, rel to patho var in other synapse rel gene
  • QA0.0149 - Neurodev disord, rel to patho var in other synapse rel gene
  • QA0.0151 - FOXG1 syndrome
  • QA0.0151 - FOXG1 syndrome
  • QA0.0159 - Neurodev dis, rel to oth genes assoc w txn & gene expression
  • QA0.0159 - Neurodev dis, rel to oth genes assoc w txn & gene expression
  • QA0.8 - Other neurodev dis rel to patho var in other specific genes
  • QA0.8 - Other neurodev dis rel to patho var in other specific genes

Tabular List of Diseases and Injuries

The following annotation back-references are applicable to this diagnosis code. The Tabular List of Diseases and Injuries is a list of ICD-10-CM codes, organized "head to toe" into chapters and sections with coding notes and guidance for inclusions, exclusions, descriptions and more.


Inclusion Terms

Inclusion Terms
These terms are the conditions for which that code is to be used. The terms may be synonyms of the code title, or, in the case of "other specified" codes, the terms are a list of the various conditions assigned to that code. The inclusion terms are not necessarily exhaustive. Additional terms found only in the Alphabetic Index may also be assigned to a code.
  • Developmental disorder NOS
  • Neurodevelopmental disorder NOS

Index to Diseases and Injuries References

The following annotation back-references for this diagnosis code are found in the injuries and diseases index. The Index to Diseases and Injuries is an alphabetical listing of medical terms, with each term mapped to one or more ICD-10-CM code(s).

Index of External Cause of Injuries

References found for this diagnosis code in the External Cause of Injuries Index:

    • Disorder(of)
      • developmental
    • Disorder(of)
      • neurodevelopmental

Convert F89 to ICD-9-CM

Below are the ICD-9 codes that most closely match this ICD-10 code, based on the General Equivalence Mappings (GEMs). This ICD-10 to ICD-9 crosswalk tool is helpful for coders who need to reference legacy diagnosis codes for audits, historical claims, or approximate code comparisons.

Development delay NOS

ICD-9-CM: 315.9

Approximate Flag - The approximate mapping means this ICD-10 code does not have an exact ICD-9 equivalent. The matched code is the closest available option, but it may not fully capture the original diagnosis or clinical intent.

Patient Education


Developmental Disabilities

What are developmental disabilities?

Developmental disabilities are conditions that are usually present at birth. They can affect a child's growth and development. These conditions can cause physical, learning, language, or behavior issues. They can include:

  • Learning disabilities. These conditions affect the ability to learn.
  • Autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This is a disorder that affects behavior, communication, and social skills.
  • Cerebral palsy (CP). This is a condition that affects movement, coordination, and balance.
  • Physical disabilities. These could include blindness or deafness.
  • Conditions that can affect both physical and mental abilities. This could include Down syndrome.

These conditions can cause lifelong challenges in learning. Completing daily tasks may be difficult. Early treatment may help your child learn important skills and make the most of their strengths.

What causes developmental disabilities?

Developmental disabilities are often present at birth. They can occur due to various reasons. These can include:

  • Genetic or chromosome abnormalities. These cause conditions such as Down syndrome, Fragile-X-Syndrome, and Rett syndrome.
  • Use of substances while pregnant. For example, drinking alcohol when pregnant can cause fetal alcohol spectrum disorders.
  • Certain infections during pregnancy.
  • Preterm birth or low birth weight.

How are developmental disabilities diagnosed?

The way a developmental disability is diagnosed depends on the condition. Screening tests or a physical exam may be done to check for a medical problem. Other tests and questionnaires may help find out if your child has a developmental disability. These may include:

  • Screening tests that are done during pregnancy or for newborns
  • Developmental and behavioral screening tests or questionnaires to check if your child is developing on schedule
  • Observing your child's behavior and how they interact with other people
  • Testing your child's intellectual and school performance
  • Asking about your family history

What are the treatments for developmental disabilities?

If your child has a developmental disability, these are usually lifelong conditions. Often, there is no cure, but treatment can help the symptoms. Treatments can include:

  • Physical, speech, and occupational therapy
  • Special teaching methods
  • Psychological counseling
  • To keep track of how your child grows and changes over time

NIH: National Institute of Child Health and Human Development


[Learn More in MedlinePlus]

Code History

  • FY 2026 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2025 through 9/30/2026
  • FY 2025 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2024 through 9/30/2025
  • 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.

Footnotes

[1] Not chronic - A diagnosis code that does not fit the criteria for chronic condition (duration, ongoing medical treatment, and limitations) is considered not chronic. Some codes designated as not chronic are acute conditions. Other diagnosis codes that indicate a possible chronic condition, but for which the duration of the illness is not specified in the code description (i.e., we do not know the condition has lasted 12 months or longer) also are considered not chronic.