Nonverbal ICD-10-CM Codes | 2023

Read this short guide to learn about Nonverbal ICD codes you can use!

By Harriet Murray on Aug 8, 2025.

What Nonverbal ICD-10 codes can I use?

If you’re looking for Nonverbal ICD codes, you’re likely dealing with patients with Nonverbal Learning Disorder. There’s only one ICD-10 code meant for it, and it’s F81.9 - Developmental disorder of scholastic skills, unspecified.

As of this writing, there are no ICD-10 codes that mention Nonverbal Learning Disorder in their name, so this is the best ICD-10 code to use for now.

It has an unspecified label. Usually, you’ll have to use a more specific ICD-10 code once the specific problem is identified, but since there are no ICD-10 codes that have Nonverbal Learning Disorder in their names, stick to this one.

This code is also unacceptable as a principal diagnosis because the developmental disorder might be part of a much larger disorder, like Autism Spectrum Disorder or Attention-Deficit/Hyperactive Disorder.

Is this lone Nonverbal ICD-10 code billable?

Yes. This ICD-10 code for Nonverbal is valid and billable despite being unacceptable as a principal diagnosis.

Clinical information about Nonverbal Learning Disorder:

Nonverbal Learning Disorder is a type of developmental disorder that is often considered part of developmental conditions like Autism Spectrum Disorder and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactive Disorder.

This particular developmental disorder is characterized by the person having strong speaking and writing skills, however, they have difficulty interpreting social cues (especially the more subtle ones), facial expressions, humor, sarcasm, mathematics, abstract concepts, problem-solving, and other kinds of non-literal communication.

They might also have impacted spatial awareness and motor coordination, so they will likely struggle with activities that require those, like participating in sporting events, learning how to drive a car, assembling jigsaw puzzles, etc.

Synonyms include:

Nonverbal learning disorder
Nonverbal learning disability
Unable to read body language
Unable to read social cues
Unable to read facial expressions
Impacted spacial awareness
Impacted nonverbal communication
Nonverbal ICD 10
ICD 10 code for nonverbal
ICD 10 nonverbal
Nonverbal learning disability ICD 10
Nonverbal learning disorder ICD-10

Commonly asked questions

This disorder has no criteria in the current edition of The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, so they will settle for comprehensive evaluations of the person’s skills, specifically those that Nonverbal Learning Disorder impacts. Such evaluations come with interviews and assessments.

Those with Nonverbal Learning Disorder will benefit from education that considers their weaknesses (reading social cues, abstract thinking, problem-solving, developing spatial awareness, etc.) and a supportive environment.

These should help them adjust well as they grow up. It’s essential to start treatment/management while they’re young to prevent this disorder from severely impacting their daily life, especially when they’re older.

No. It’s a lifelong disorder. But the severity of its impact can be lessened through proper training and management.

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