I don't have an Autistic child to care for, but I have gone through almost the same thing with my 2 year old son.  Isn't it just awful the way people look at you?  It's almost worse than the tantrum itself.  I hate random strangers that think they can raise your children better than you can (even if it's not even really your child).  They should just mind their own business. 

Thank you for this story. In some parts it felt like I was reading my own journal *lol*

*sigh*  I've finally figured out what I want to say about this piece.

Congratulations on writing such a well-executed piece.  (Gah, that sounded clinical.)  You've managed to convey the feelings of the speaker extremely well--and small wonder why, since by everything you've said you've had ample first-hand experience.

And as a personal reaction--it's a shame that people can be as judgemental as they are.  It's one thing for a person to bring kids into a store and let them run amok; I have no sympathy for the ones who don't care what their kids do.  But the ones who have children like "baby" have as much of my sympathy as I can spare; it's nobody's fault then.

Well done.