Which condition can lead to orthopedic impairments in children?

Cerebral palsy is a neurological disorder that affects movement, posture, and coordination, which can lead to orthopedic impairments. Children with cerebral palsy may experience muscle stiffness, weakness, or lack of control over their muscles, contributing to issues such as joint problems, scoliosis, and other skeletal deformities. These physical challenges often require intervention through physical therapy, orthopedic treatment, or even surgical procedures to improve mobility and overall quality of life.

In contrast, the other conditions listed—short-sightedness, hearing loss, and autism spectrum disorder—do not primarily cause orthopedic impairments. Short-sightedness affects vision, hearing loss impacts auditory processing, and autism spectrum disorder relates more to social communication and behavior. While these conditions can have significant implications for development and learning, they do not directly lead to the physical mobility challenges associated with orthopedic impairments. Thus, cerebral palsy is uniquely positioned as a condition that can lead to such impairments in children.