My kids are autistic. Language doesn't come naturally for them, they're mentally younger than their chronological age.

There's a lot of this that happens often to me. People will judge me for doing things for them when they look "big" or "mature" enough to do it themselves. These same people get on my kids face to say hi to them and they expect my kids to answer back. The problem is my kids are non-verbal so they don't get it, on top of that, invading personal space of an autistic child is too much.

My kids usually get very upset. People are ignorant sometimes. They judge without knowing. It's inevitable.

What I do is to just to tell people to back off, politely but firm, since my kids don't like people hugging them or kissing them without their permission.

BUT, in this particular incident you describe, I have no problems raising my voice and telling this woman to mind her own business. I make sure I embarrass the other person in public to make my point across and maybe that would stop them from opening their big mouths again when they're just being ignorant.

I just get so angry and I can't even control it. I always mind my own business so I expect the same.

My kids can't defend themselves just yet, so for now I'll do it for them. You don't have to yell like me, but I'd say something. Definitely.