F81.0 ICD-10-CA code: Specific reading disorder
F81.0 is the ICD-10-CA code for “Specific reading disorder” in CIHI’s FY 2026–2027 release, in effect from Apr 1, 2026.
Official description
F81.0Specific reading disorder
ICD-10-CA · Canada · Also written F810
Index terms
Entries in CIHI’s alphabetical index that lead to F81.0. Searching the index by the condition the note names is how coders reach this code.
- Mirror writing
- Strephosymbolia
- Alexia, developmental
- Dyslexia, developmental
- Backward reading (dyslexia)
- Development, delayed, reading
- Retardation, reading (specific)
- Disorder (of), specific, reading
- Delay, delayed, development, reading
- Word, blindness (congenital) (developmental)
- Disorder (of), reading, developmental (specific)
- Difficult, difficulty (in), reading (developmental)
- Disorder (of), developmental (global delay), reading
- Retardation, development, developmental, specific, reading
- Disorder (of), developmental (global delay), learning, reading
- Blindness (acquired) (binocular) (both eyes) (congenital), word (developmental)
Notes for F81.0
As CIHI prints them, with any note F81.0 takes from the headings above it.
Includes
- "Backward reading"Developmental dyslexiaSpecific reading retardation
- Disorders of psychological developmentFrom Chapter 5: Mental and behavioural disorders (F00-F99)
Excludes
Conditions classified elsewhere.
- Alexia NOS (R48.0)dyslexia NOS (R48.0)reading difficulties secondary to emotional disorders(F93.-)
- Symptoms, signs and abnormal clinical laboratory findings, not elsewhere classified (R00-R99)From Chapter 5: Mental and behavioural disorders (F00-F99)
Note
- The main feature is a specific and significant impairment in the development of reading skills that is not solely accounted for by mental age, visual acuity problems, or inadequate schooling. Reading comprehension skill, reading word recognition, oral reading skill, and performance of tasks requiring reading may all be affected. Spelling difficulties are frequently associated with specific reading disorder and often remain into adolescence even after some progress in reading has been made. Specific developmental disorders of reading are commonly preceded by a history of disorders in speech or language development. Associated emotional and behavioural disturbances are common during the school age period.
- Disorders in which the normal patterns of skill acquisition are disturbed from the early stages of development. This is not simply a consequence of a lack of opportunity to learn, it is not solely a result of mental retardation, and it is not due to any form of acquired brain trauma or disease.From F81 Specific developmental disorders of scholastic skills
- The disorders included in this block have in common: (a) onset invariably during infancy or childhood; (b) impairment or delay in development of functions that are strongly related to biological maturation of the central nervous system; and (c) a steady course without remissions and relapses. In most cases, the functions affected include language, visuo-spatial skills, and motor coordination. Usually, the delay or impairment has been present from as early as it could be detected reliably and will diminish progressively as the child grows older, although milder deficits often remain in adult life.From F80-F89 Disorders of psychological development
Where F81.0 sits
- 1ChapterChapter 5: Mental and behavioural disorders (F00-F99)
- 2Block F80-F89Disorders of psychological development
- 3Category F81Specific developmental disorders of scholastic skills
- 4Valid code F81.0Specific reading disorder
Source and release
- Data release
- ICD-10-CA · FY 2026–2027
- Effective date
- Apr 1, 2026
- Publisher
- CIHI
This page is built from the ICD-10-CA catalog that Vero Codes reads when it suggests codes: Canadian Institute for Health Information’s FY 2026–2027 release, imported from the publisher’s file and checked against it. The description, notes and structured data come from the same record.
Frequently asked questions
What does ICD-10-CA code F81.0 mean?
F81.0 is the ICD-10-CA code for “Specific reading disorder” in CIHI’s ICD-10-CA FY 2026–2027 release.
Where is F81.0 in ICD-10-CA?
F81.0 sits under F81 Specific developmental disorders of scholastic skills, within F80-F89 Disorders of psychological development, within Chapter 5: Mental and behavioural disorders (F00-F99).
What coding notes apply to F81.0?
ICD-10-CA lists Note, Includes, Excludes notes for F81.0, including those from the headings it sits under. They are listed on this page with where each one comes from.
Which ICD-10-CA release does this page use?
It uses CIHI’s FY 2026–2027 release, in effect from Apr 1, 2026 to Mar 31, 2027. It is a reference: confirm the code against the current list and the payer’s rules before you submit it.