Specific developmental disorders of speech and language (F80)

The ICD-10 code group F80 is designated for specific developmental disorders of speech and language, covering various conditions that affect a child’s ability to communicate effectively. These codes capture a range of impairments from difficulty with speech sounds to challenges with expressing or understanding language.

Within this section, each code specifies a different speech or language disorder. For example, F80.0 represents phonological disorder, often referred to by terms like "articulatory dyspraxia" or "speech and phonology impairments," which involve trouble producing speech sounds correctly. F80.1 is expressive language disorder, sometimes known as "expressive dysphasia," where individuals have difficulty expressing themselves verbally. The mixed receptive-expressive language disorder (F80.2) denotes problems with both understanding and producing language. F80.4 describes speech and language delays caused by hearing loss. Other codes such as F80.81 (childhood onset fluency disorder, or stuttering) and F80.82 (social pragmatic communication disorder) address fluency and social use of language, respectively. For cases where the disorder does not fit these categories, codes like F80.8 or F80.89 are used, while F80.9 covers unspecified developmental speech and language disorders, including a wide range of related difficulties sometimes labeled as "specific language impairment" or "developmental speech delay." These codes assist healthcare providers and coders in precisely identifying and managing different developmental communication disorders.