Hello, I’m a mom to an Ausome child & I could really use some advice 
Today my kid had a meltdown at the grocery store and while I was doing my best to calm him, I couldn’t ignore the stares and kept hearing the rude comments, especially from older people 
How do you deal with these moments? Do you respond to strangers or just ignore them? Any tips for calming your child AND keeping your cool at the same time?
Hi! I’m also a mom of an autistic kid and those public meltdowns are the worst! Not just for my child but for me, especially with all the sideways glances and unsolicited side comments 
Most of the time I just try to tune out the stares and focus on calming my kid. Sometimes it feels impossible but I remind myself that it’s not about anyone else’s opinion. It’s about helping my child calm down and feel at ease.
When someone’s really rude, I usually say something quick like “Oh he has autism” and I can see their faces shift from judgmental to embarrassed then they usually just walk away after that.
Anyway, pls know that you’re not alone in this. We are all just doing our best. Hugs mom! 
Hey, I totally get where you’re coming from – it’s so hard to handle those situations when you’re already trying to calm your child and then you have to deal with rude stares or comments from others. Honestly, I think most of us have been there, and it’s never easy.
For me, I try to remind myself that the people staring or making comments usually don’t understand what’s going on. Some may not know about autism or the challenges that come with it, and others may just not know how to react. If I feel up to it, I might quietly explain to the person that my child has autism and sometimes things get overwhelming. But honestly, I don’t always feel the need to engage. I focus more on my child and getting us out of the situation as calmly as possible.
As for calming your child and keeping your cool, I find that deep breathing helps me. It’s hard to stay calm when everyone’s looking, but taking a moment to breathe helps me reset. Maybe you can try a calming technique with your child too, like using a fidget toy or a calming app (if they’re into that). If they’re non-verbal or not responding well to words, it might help to focus on some physical comfort – a gentle touch or giving them something to hold.
You’re doing great by just being there for your child, and remember, you don’t owe anyone an explanation. Take care of yourself too. You’ve got this!