R48.0 - Dyslexia and alexia

Approximate Synonyms

The following clinical terms are approximate synonyms or lay terms that might be used to identify the correct diagnosis code:

• Alexia
• Alexia and agraphia present
• Aphasia, agnosia, dyslexia AND/OR apraxia
• Cluttering
• Cortical alexia
• Deep dyslexia
• Dyslexia
• Dyslexia AND/OR speech dysfunction
• Dyslogia
• Motor alexia
• Musical alexia
• Phonological dyslexia
• Subcortical alexia
• Surface dyslexia

Clinical Information

• Dyslexia-. a cognitive disorder characterized by an impaired ability to comprehend written and printed words or phrases despite intact vision. this condition may be developmental or acquired. developmental dyslexia is marked by reading achievement that falls substantially below that expected given the individual's chronological age, measured intelligence, and age-appropriate education. the disturbance in reading significantly interferes with academic achievement or with activities of daily living that require reading skills. (from dsm-iv)
• Dyslexia, Acquired-. a receptive visual aphasia characterized by the loss of a previously possessed ability to comprehend the meaning or significance of handwritten words, despite intact vision. this condition may be associated with posterior cerebral artery infarction (infarction, posterior cerebral artery) and other brain diseases.
• Dyslexia-. a learning disorder characterized by an impairment in processing written words. reading difficulties can include distortions, omissions or substitutions of characters. oral and silent reading difficulties can include faulty and slow comprehension.

Convert to ICD-9 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

Code History

• 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 (First year ICD-10-CM implemented into the HIPAA code set)