MASC is a private, non-profit organization created by parents, teachers, therapists and friends of Alyssa Peko, a child with autism.

The Samoan name Mea'Alofa (MAY-a-LOH-fa) means "Gift of Love" and was given to Alyssa to honor her late grandfather's beloved younger sister, her dad's "Auntie 'Lofa".

Just as this precious little girl was a gift of love to her parents, the effort to bring effective therapy to other boys and girls with ASD is the gift of love that the families, friends and therapists of MASC seek to provide the larger world.

Did You Know?

According to the Centers for Diesease Control and Prevention...

It is estimated that between 1 in 80 and 1 in 240 with an average of 1 in 110 children in the United States have an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD.)

Autism is the fastest-growing developmental disability; 1,148% growth rate.

If 4 million children are born in the United States every year, approximately 36,500 children will eventually be diagnosed with an ASD.  Assuming the prevalence rate has been constant over the past two decades, it can be estimated that about 730,000 individuals between the ages of 0 to 21 have an ASD.

1 in 70 boys in the nation have an autism diagnosis while only 1 in 315 girls are on the autism spectrum

Autism is more prevalant than Downs Syndrome, childhood diabetes, and childhood cancer COMBINED.

What is ABA?

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is the science in which tactics derived from the principles of behavior are applied systematically to improve socially significant behavior and experimentation is used to identify the variables responsible for behavior change. (Baer, Wolf, Risely, 1968)

ABA uses scientifically derived techniques related to the theory that learning occurs as a result of the consequences of behavior.

Research shows that ABA is the ONLY empirically validated form of treatment for children with autism.

Researchers in psychology, special education and behaviorism have noted the beneficial effects of ABA clinically.

Please visit our "About ABA" page for more information.