About Me

My name is Madeleine Manno and I am a high school senior from Fontbonne Academy. I am unsure of where I will be going to college yet, but I will be studying special education and developmental psychology. I have a twin brother named Marcus, who is autistic and nonverbal. Marcus and I have a very close relationship and we are best friends. He is incredibly joyful and is able to make the best out of any situation. My experience with my brother is what inspired me to complete my senior social justice project on shock therapy towards autistic people. My brother has not experienced shock therapy, but the thought that so many other people on the autism spectrum are being forced to receive this torture is what motivated me to do this project. It is heart-breaking and horrifying that this treatment still continues despite decades of reform and advocacy done surrounding this issue. Therefore, I feel emboldened to take a stand and show my support in banning shock therapy devices, and I hope that this project simply starts a conversation about shock therapy. Once this conversation is had, we will be more step closer to dismantling this abusive system.