Purpose To investigate a new intervention package aimed at increasing expressive word learning by school-age children with autism who have limited expressive vocabularies. This pilot investigation was intended to show proof of concept. Method Ten children between the ages of 6-10 years with educational diagnoses of autism and limited expressive vocabularies at the outset of the study participated. A multimodal intervention composed of speech sound practice and AAC was used to teach individualized vocabulary words that were selected based on initial speech sound repertoires and principles of phonotactic probability and neighborhood density. A multiple-probe design was used to evaluate learning outcomes. Results Five children showed gains in spoken- word learning across successive word sets (High Responders). Five children did not meet learning criteria (Low Responders). Comparisons of behaviors measured prior to intervention indicated that High Responders had relatively higher skills in receptive language, prelinguistic communication, vocal/verbal imitation, adaptive behavior and consonant productions. Conclusions The intervention package holds promise for improving spoken word productions for some children with autism who have limited expressive vocabularies. Further research is needed to better describe who may most benefit from this approach as well as investigate generalized benefits to untaught contexts and targets.

Overexertion is a leading cause of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) among construction workers. Nearly 90% of construction jobs require manual handling of materials for approximately one half of the worker's time (1). In 2015, overexertion from lifting and lowering materials caused 30% of WMSDs among construction workers; overexertion involving pushing, pulling, holding, carrying, and catching materials caused an additional 37% of WMSDs (1). This study examined the rate and cost of WMSD claims from overexertion among Ohio construction workers during 2007-2017. Workers' compensation claims related to overexertion that were submitted to the Ohio Bureau of Worker's Compensation (OHBWC) by workers in the construction industry for injuries and illnesses occurring during 2007-2017 were analyzed. Rates and costs of allowed claims were measured by age group. Workers aged 35-44 years experienced the highest claim rate: 63 per 10,000 full-time employees (FTEs) for WMSDs from overexertion. However, claims by workers aged 45-54 years and 55-64 years were more costly on average and resulted in more days away from work. Ergonomic design improvements and interventions are needed to ensure that the majority of construction workers can safely perform jobs throughout their careers. Age-specific WMSD prevention and risk communication efforts also might be helpful.From 1985 to 2015, the average age of construction workers increased from 36 years to 42.5 years (2). As workers age, they become more susceptible to losing muscle mass and strength (3). These and other age-related physical changes can affect workers' ability to perform physically demanding tasks, their vulnerability to WMSDs, and their ability to recover from WMSDs. As the U.S. workforce grows older, understanding the age-specific health and safety needs of workers is critical, especially in hazardous and physically demanding industries such as construction.