{"h1":"ICD-11 Classification for Developmental Language Disorder (6A01.2)","faq":[{"a":"Developmental Language Disorder is coded 6A01.2 in ICD-11-MMS, nested within 6A01 Developmental speech or language disorders in the Neurodevelopmental disorders block.","q":"What is the ICD-11 code for Developmental Language Disorder?"},{"a":"ICD-11 uses 'Developmental Language Disorder' and provides domain-specific subcategories, replacing the older 'specific language impairment' label and aligning with the CATALISE consensus terminology.","q":"How does ICD-11 differ from older terminology for DLD?"},{"a":"ICD-11 distinguishes impairment of receptive and expressive language, mainly expressive language, mainly pragmatic language, and other specified language impairment, allowing clinicians to record the predominant domain affected.","q":"What are the subcategories under 6A01.2?"},{"a":"Hearing loss, primary autism spectrum disorder, disorders of intellectual development and neurological conditions must be ruled out as the principal explanation; difficulties should be persistent and arise in the developmental period.","q":"What must be excluded before applying the DLD code?"}],"lang":"en","slug":"what-is-the-icd-11-classification-for-developmental-language-disorder","title":"ICD-11 Classification for Developmental Language Disorder","entity":{"key":"dld","kind":"condition","name":"Developmental Language Disorder","slug":null},"lenses":[{"kind":"stakeholder","label":"Doctor","value":"doctor"},{"kind":"domain","label":"Communication","value":"communication"},{"kind":"intent","label":"Definition","value":"definition"},{"kind":"lifecycle","label":"Screen","value":"screen"},{"kind":"route","label":"Speech-Therapy","value":"speech-therapy"},{"kind":"empowerment","label":"Early Clarity","value":"early_clarity"}],"parent":{"key":"conditions","label":"Conditions"},"related":[{"lang":"en","slug":"what-is-the-icd-11-classification-for-speech-and-language-delay","title":"ICD-11 Classification for Speech and Language Delay"},{"lang":"en","slug":"what-is-developmental-language-disorder-and-what-are-its-icd-11-features-in-early-childhood","title":"Developmental Language Disorder: ICD-11 Definition & Early Features"},{"lang":"en","slug":"what-is-developmental-language-disorder","title":"What is Developmental Language Disorder?"},{"lang":"en","slug":"what-is-the-icd-11-classification-for-social-communication-difficulties","title":"ICD-11 Classification of Social Communication Difficulties"},{"lang":"en","slug":"what-is-the-snomed-ct-concept-for-developmental-language-disorder","title":"What is the SNOMED CT concept for Developmental Language Disorder?"},{"lang":"en","slug":"what-is-the-icd-11-classification-for-specific-learning-disability","title":"ICD-11 Classification for Specific Learning Disability"}],"summary":"In ICD-11-MMS, Developmental Language Disorder is coded 6A01.2, within 6A01 Developmental speech or language disorders under the Neurodevelopmental disorders block. It marks persistent language difficulties arising in the developmental period, below age expectations, not explained by sensory, neurological or intellectual causes.","answer_md":"*A precise code keeps every referral, report and therapy plan speaking the same clinical language — and for Developmental Language Disorder, that code is 6A01.2.*\n\n## In short\nIn **ICD-11-MMS**, Developmental Language Disorder (DLD) is classified under code **6A01.2**, sitting within **6A01 Developmental speech or language disorders**, itself part of the **Neurodevelopmental disorders** grouping (block 6A0). It denotes persistent difficulties in the acquisition, understanding, production or use of language — spoken or signed — that emerge in the developmental period, fall substantially below age expectations, and are not better accounted for by sensory impairment, neurological condition or intellectual disability.\n\n## The classification, precisely\nWithin ICD-11, **6A01 Developmental speech or language disorders** carries several specified entities, and 6A01.2 is the **receptive and expressive / expressive language** strand of developmental language disorder. The official ICD-11 framework provides subcategories distinguishing the predominant language domain affected:\n\n- **6A01.20** — DLD with impairment of receptive and expressive language\n- **6A01.21** — DLD with impairment of mainly expressive language\n- **6A01.22** — DLD with impairment of mainly pragmatic language\n- **6A01.23** — DLD with other specified language impairment\n\nDiagnostic essentials are persistence over time, onset in the developmental period, and functional impact, with the differential excluding hearing loss, autism spectrum disorder as the primary explanation, and disorders of intellectual development. ICD-11 deliberately replaces the older 'specific language impairment' terminology, aligning with the CATALISE consensus that favours *Developmental Language Disorder* as the working clinical label.\n\n## When to refer\nRefer for structured language assessment when a child shows persistent comprehension or expressive deficits disproportionate to overall development, limited two-word combinations by 24 months, or word-finding and sentence-formulation difficulties that constrain function across home and school settings. Speech-language pathology assessment with audiology clearance is the appropriate first line.\n\n## The Pinnacle way\nDevelopmental measurement supports care planning; diagnosis requires an appropriately qualified healthcare professional., under qualified clinician care — never from a code alone or an online form. Coding documents the condition; the clinical profile guides the plan. Explore our [speech therapy pathway](https://www.pinnacleblooms.org/top-speech-therapy-center-india-proven-improvement-rate), understand [how the AbilityScore® is established](/ask/what-is-the-abilityscore-and-how-is-it-calculated), or [begin with us](/).\n\n## Trusted sources\nWHO ICD-11 for Mortality and Morbidity Statistics, Neurodevelopmental disorders chapter; WHO ICF framework of functioning; ASHA clinical resources on developmental language disorder.\n\n**Next step —** Coding a case? [Partner with a Pinnacle clinical team](https://www.pinnacleblooms.org/top-speech-therapy-center-india-proven-improvement-rate) for assessment and a measurable language plan.\n\nThis is general information, not a diagnosis — individual assessment and diagnosis require an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.","canonical":"https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-is-the-icd-11-classification-for-developmental-language-disorder","editorial":{"reviewed_at":"2026-06-11T20:12:18.613642+00:00","reviewed_by":null,"developed_by":"SETU Consortium · Pinnacle Blooms Network"},"alternates":[{"href":"https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-is-the-icd-11-classification-for-developmental-language-disorder","lang":"en","indexable":true},{"href":"https://pinnacleblooms.org/ask/what-is-the-icd-11-classification-for-developmental-language-disorder-te","lang":"te","indexable":true}],"dimensions":[{"key":"conditions","label":"Conditions"}],"meta_title":"DLD in ICD-11: Code 6A01.2 Explained","meta_robots":"index, follow, max-image-preview:large","everyday_tip":"When documenting DLD, confirm audiology clearance and specify the predominant language domain (receptive-expressive, expressive or pragmatic) so the 6A01.2 subcategory matches the clinical picture.","published_at":"2026-06-10T10:52:00.07543+00:00","reading_paths":[{"key":"understand","items":[{"lang":"en","slug":"what-is-developmental-language-disorder-and-what-are-its-icd-11-features-in-early-childhood","title":"Developmental Language Disorder: ICD-11 Definition & Early Features","reason":"Linked from this answer"},{"lang":"en","slug":"what-is-the-icd-11-classification-for-speech-and-language-delay","title":"ICD-11 Classification for Speech and Language Delay","reason":"Linked from this answer"},{"lang":"en","slug":"what-is-the-icd-11-classification-for-specific-learning-disability","title":"ICD-11 Classification for Specific Learning Disability","reason":"Linked from this answer"},{"lang":"en","slug":"what-is-the-icd-11-classification-for-social-communication-difficulties","title":"ICD-11 Classification of Social Communication Difficulties","reason":"Linked from this answer"},{"lang":"en","slug":"what-is-developmental-language-disorder","title":"What is Developmental Language Disorder?","reason":"Linked from this answer"},{"lang":"en","slug":"what-is-the-snomed-ct-concept-for-developmental-language-disorder","title":"What is the SNOMED CT concept for Developmental Language Disorder?","reason":"Linked from this answer"},{"lang":"en","slug":"how-does-developmental-language-disorder-affect-a-child-s-daily-life","title":"How does Developmental Language Disorder affect a child's daily life?","reason":"Same topic"},{"lang":"en","slug":"is-developmental-language-disorder-considered-a-disability","title":"Is Developmental Language Disorder considered a disability?","reason":"Same topic"},{"lang":"en","slug":"is-developmental-language-disorder-genetic-or-hereditary","title":"Is Developmental Language Disorder Genetic or Hereditary?","reason":"Same topic"},{"lang":"en","slug":"what-are-common-myths-about-developmental-language-disorder","title":"What are common myths about Developmental Language Disorder?","reason":"Same topic"},{"lang":"en","slug":"what-are-the-types-or-levels-of-developmental-language-disorder","title":"What are the types or levels of Developmental Language Disorder?","reason":"Same topic"},{"lang":"en","slug":"what-causes-developmental-language-disorder-in-children","title":"What causes Developmental Language Disorder in children?","reason":"Same topic"}],"label":"Understand the subject","total":16},{"key":"signs","items":[{"lang":"en","slug":"what-clinical-red-flags-for-developmental-language-disorder-warrant-referral-in-a-young-child","title":"Clinical Red Flags for Developmental Language Disorder","reason":"Same topic"},{"lang":"en","slug":"what-early-indicators-of-developmental-language-disorder-should-a-paediatrician-watch-for","title":"Early Indicators of Developmental Language Disorder","reason":"Same topic"},{"lang":"en","slug":"when-should-a-doctor-refer-a-child-with-suspected-developmental-language-disorder-for-developmental-therapy","title":"When should a doctor refer suspected DLD for developmental therapy?","reason":"Same topic"},{"lang":"en","slug":"can-developmental-language-disorder-be-cured","title":"Can DLD be cured? 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combinations by 24 months, and word-finding or sentence-formulation difficulties affecting function across settings.","authority_links":[{"url":"https://icd.who.int/browse11","code":"6A01.2","label":"WHO ICD-11 for Mortality and Morbidity Statistics"},{"url":"https://www.who.int/standards/classifications/frequently-asked-questions/the-international-classification-of-functioning-disability-and-health","label":"WHO ICF framework of functioning and disability"},{"url":"https://www.asha.org/practice-portal/clinical-topics/spoken-language-disorders/","label":"ASHA clinical resources on spoken language disorders"}],"last_reviewed_at":"2026-06-10T10:52:00.07543+00:00","meta_description":"Developmental Language Disorder is classified as 6A01.2 in ICD-11-MMS, under developmental speech or language disorders. A clinician's guide to the code an","related_materials":[],"related_techniques":[]}