I am sure that a lot of you reading this will be quick to affirm that no one likes awkward silences but tell me...what makes it awkward?
Is it the perceived inability of having something to say or is we are uncomfortable with any unfamiliar communication styles?
Lucas is written as an autistic character who experiences situational mutism as portrayed especially in the opening parts of Ripples with notes being the predominant, although unacknowledged, communication profile.
Whilst his dad does not validate Lucas, Janice and Hailey are different.
Particularly explored in the connection between Lucas and Janice, the idea of communication being valuable in all its forms is seen through the early bond between the 2 without an excesss of words getting in the way of the message. In this case, the message is that Lucas has endured a lot of hardship up until encountering his old friend.
Sometimes, the 'lack' of talking is what gives a new layer to human interaction but we are so accustomed to relying on a singular method that we panic when alternatives are presented.
No more evidenced is this than in the autistic community where you have a lot of fear emanating from parents or exacerbated by pathologising professionals surrounding the limitations of a linear mindset.
For so many, the very definition of autism is dependent upon matching up to the ability to speak using words by a certain stage in the human journey.
I would never dissuade you, the reader, from the proven knowledge of genetic differences between humans that have well-established and unbiased reasons for existing. I am not discrediting the importance of science and the human spectrum is infinitely varied but I question the internal bias of believing that there is only 1 form of true communication.
Therefore, I found it necessary to write about how Lucas communicated through his notes, through the music he listens to and, as we also see lots of in his later years, through speech.
But I did not want to hinge on any one way to express yourself because that's how humans work.
What is not written about are the specifics of Lucas' communication journey but I can tell you from this autistically empowered principle-driven author, the notes-to-speech 'transformation’ was not aided by any sort of compliance 'therapy' such as ABA.
Maybe this is another story to tell when the the time is right...