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
Five things to know if your federal grant is terminated
If you want to appeal the decision, know the rules that govern terminations, as well as the specific rationale given in your notice, science policy experts say.

Five things to know if your federal grant is terminated
If you want to appeal the decision, know the rules that govern terminations, as well as the specific rationale given in your notice, science policy experts say.
It’s time to examine neural coding from the message’s point of view
In studying the brain, we almost always take the neuron’s perspective. But we can gain new insights by reorienting our frame of reference to that of the messages flowing over brain networks.
It’s time to examine neural coding from the message’s point of view
In studying the brain, we almost always take the neuron’s perspective. But we can gain new insights by reorienting our frame of reference to that of the messages flowing over brain networks.
Autism traits, mental health conditions interact in sex-dependent ways in early development
Here is a roundup of autism-related news and research spotted around the web for the week of 31 March.

Autism traits, mental health conditions interact in sex-dependent ways in early development
Here is a roundup of autism-related news and research spotted around the web for the week of 31 March.