Thinking about mute characters. And the ableism against mutism.
I don't think I've mentioned this here but I go mute decently often. It's a mixture of my body shutting down (mentally) and genuine disinterest in speaking. There's a reason I so strongly relate to the line "If you only listen with your ears, I can't get in." in The Mute by Radical Face. But I hardly, if ever, see mute characters aside from the "severely autistic non-verbal" sort of stereotype.
Side note: I prefer the term "mute" over "non-verbal", because "non-verbal", to me, makes it sound like I'm missing or have lost something. "Verbal" is the ideal and "non-verbal" is the odd one out, the anomaly, something "wrong".
But you don't have to have a mute character be autistic for them to be mute, and a disabled character doesn't have to explain the finer details of their disability (although it is advised that you, as the author, should know what is going on with your character). While mutism does primarily come from mental limitations, there are ways it can come from injuries. Damage to the trachea, esophagus, and mouth can cause speech differences or complete mutism. Brain damage can also affect speech; strokes, tumors, excessive drug use, et cetra.
Another note: Mutism and autism do not always go together. While it is true that plenty of autistic and otherwise neurodiverse folks may experience mutism, whether due to social anxiety or mental overwhelm or overstimulation, they do not always go hand in hand.
When looking up "mutism", you will find a lot of "how to fix it". Okay fine, "treat" it. As though it's something to overcome. And maybe for some people it is, that's okay. But overall there's this ableism against mutism that I feel goes unnoticed. If a kid doesn't start speaking at a certain age, they're considered slow or behind. To call someone non-verbal implies a certain level of mental state. This also ties into the ableism around deafness, because if deafness was more tolerated - that is, if sign language was more accepted and actually taught as a second language - mute people (and those who aren't deaf or mute!) would be learning sign language, and therefore be able to communicate more effectively. I took a singular ASL class in college because that was all that was accessible to me. I know enough to introduce myself and explain that I'm partly mute, but most of the time I use my notes app and body language. And most people are cool with that! Sign language is also admittedly difficult for me because my brain thinks in words. It thinks in poetry and lyrics, not movement. But I'm just one person with just one experience. I'm sure there's plenty others with more experience and knowledge than me.
Make your disabled characters diverse and diverse in the way in which they are disabled. Mute because of autism; mute because of injury; mute because of a vow of silence! Mute because ya just don't feel like it right now, whether that be mental or physical. Mute and know five different types of sign language; mute and uses primarily an AAC or written word. Mute characters who are intellectually disabled, and mute characters who aren't! Mute characters!
