Specific reading disorder

This code signifies a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by significant and persistent difficulties in learning to read, despite adequate intelligence, conventional instruction, and sociocultural opportunity. It involves impairments in accurate and/or fluent word recognition, poor decoding abilities, and poor spelling. These reading difficulties are not attributable to intellectual disability, sensory deficits, or neurological conditions.

Assign this code when documentation clearly indicates a diagnosis of a specific reading disorder, often referred to as developmental dyslexia, in a patient. This diagnosis should be made by a qualified professional (e.g., psychologist, neurologist, developmental pediatrician) based on standardized assessments demonstrating reading achievement substantially below expected levels for age and intellectual ability.

• Ensure the documentation specifies "specific reading disorder" or a similar term indicating a primary developmental reading difficulty, not secondary to other conditions.
• Distinguish from acquired reading difficulties (alexia) or unspecified dyslexia, which are coded to R48.0.
• Look for supporting evidence from educational or psychological evaluations detailing reading deficits.