Elissa Ball is a former data analysis intern for Spectrum. Prior to coming here, she worked in the Yonkers Public Library and as a tutor for Kaplan Test Prep. She earned a bachelor’s degree in anthropology, with a minor in mechanical engineering, from the University of Pennsylvania, in Philadelphia.
Elissa Ball
From this contributor
Why autism training for police isn’t enough
Inconsistent and underfunded training programs may hurt more than they help, experts say.
Why autism training for police isn’t enough
By
Elissa Ball, Jaclyn Jeffrey-Wilensky
26 November 2020 | 16 min read
Autistic and non-autistic youth get different healthcare as they age
Young people with autism receive more mental health services, more consistent primary care and less gynecological or urgent care than their neurotypical peers.
Autistic and non-autistic youth get different healthcare as they age
By
Elissa Ball
23 September 2020 | 3 min read
Almost one-third of autistic children in the United States live in poverty
Children younger than age 5 and Black and Hispanic children on the spectrum experience the most financial hardships.
Almost one-third of autistic children in the United States live in poverty
By
Elissa Ball
19 August 2020 | 1 min read
Explore more from The Transmitter
‘Neuroethics: The Implications of Mapping and Changing the Brain,’ an excerpt
In his new book, published today, philosopher Walter Glannon examines the ethics of six areas of neuroscience. In Chapter 4, a portion of which appears below, he tackles the ethical considerations of using brain organoids in research.
‘Neuroethics: The Implications of Mapping and Changing the Brain,’ an excerpt
In his new book, published today, philosopher Walter Glannon examines the ethics of six areas of neuroscience. In Chapter 4, a portion of which appears below, he tackles the ethical considerations of using brain organoids in research.
By
Walter Glannon
11 November 2025 | 7 min read
Teasing out mosaicism cell by cell; and more
Here is a roundup of autism-related news and research spotted around the web for the week of 10 November.
Teasing out mosaicism cell by cell; and more
Here is a roundup of autism-related news and research spotted around the web for the week of 10 November.
By
Jill Adams
11 November 2025 | 2 min read
Without monkeys, neuroscience has no future
Research in primate brains has been essential for the development of brain-computer interfaces and artificial neural networks. New funding and policy changes put the future of such advances at risk.
Without monkeys, neuroscience has no future
Research in primate brains has been essential for the development of brain-computer interfaces and artificial neural networks. New funding and policy changes put the future of such advances at risk.
By
Cory Miller, J. Anthony Movshon, Doris Tsao
10 November 2025 | 5 min read