Alisa Opar is a California-based science writer and the articles editor at Audubon magazine.
Alisa Opar
Freelance writer
Simons Foundation
From this contributor
In search of truce in the autism wars
The fight between those who define autism as a medical condition and those who see it as a mere difference has reached vitriolic levels. Can the two sides come together to support all autistic people?
New group faces backlash over its goals for severe autism
A new advocacy group for people with severe autism taps into the deep divide in the community over who should speak for those on the spectrum.
New group faces backlash over its goals for severe autism
How to help low-income children with autism
Autistic children from low-income families are undercounted and underserved, a gap community leaders are working to bridge.
The healthcare system is failing autistic adults
Adults on the spectrum frequently have a range of other conditions — but they rarely get the help they need.
Why children with ‘severe autism’ are overlooked by science
Children with ‘severe autism’ are the most in need of help, yet the most overlooked in research. A new initiative is making them the primary focus.
Why children with ‘severe autism’ are overlooked by science
Explore more from The Transmitter
Oregon primate center scientists fight proposed sanctuary transition
A group of employees have launched a series of campaigns to advocate for their work and argue against the center’s potential transition to an animal sanctuary.
Oregon primate center scientists fight proposed sanctuary transition
A group of employees have launched a series of campaigns to advocate for their work and argue against the center’s potential transition to an animal sanctuary.
When autistic kids grow up
An autistic researcher’s paper called attention to a huge disparity in autism funding research between children and adults. It nearly derailed her life.
When autistic kids grow up
An autistic researcher’s paper called attention to a huge disparity in autism funding research between children and adults. It nearly derailed her life.
The ‘secretly awesome’ side of a teaching career
The freedom to do “wacky” research projects that interest you is a major perk of the teaching stream, says Suzanne Wood, a teaching professor at the University of Toronto.
The ‘secretly awesome’ side of a teaching career
The freedom to do “wacky” research projects that interest you is a major perk of the teaching stream, says Suzanne Wood, a teaching professor at the University of Toronto.