I'm going to be very sincere. I don't ignore, I educate. So I *am* that parent who will politely, but very loudly will say something like, "I'm so sorry that my son's autism is triggering you, since you can't stop staring at us or you can't stop commenting about him. If you would like to find out about my son's autism, please feel free to ask me. I'll gladly educate you!"

I have never had anyone say anything to me or near me about my son…but I have RBF and that seems to make people uncomfortable 😆
But I was at a splash pad a few weeks back and my son was playing and I sat across the way. A family came in and noticed him stimming his hands and continued to stare at him as if something was wrong. Obviously they didn’t know who the parents were, but it was extremely rude. So I went and sat next to them
And continued to stare directly at them. They stopped staring at my son And after a few minutes they got up and left. I don’t give a f who you are. He is a child and if he stims he stims…learn some manners

As a retired RN who has a 3 year old autistic Grandchild I tend to ignore the ignorant. Engaging the rude can lead to disaster. ❤️

It's sad that we live in a world with so many ignorant (and it's a chosen ignorance) people. My son is 24 now and doing well, he has a part time job as a cashier/barista (he lives at home with us). But through all the years of raising him I've gone through it all and heartbreakingly the rude and cruel behavior towards us was mostly from family! Namely my parents. They always treated my son as if he were a leper, and they were embarrassed that he wasn't 'normal'. It broke my heart, but I never let my son see it. People are cruel and speak without thinking, and the only thing I could do to survive it, is rise above. Either walk away or just don't respond to rude comments or cruel behavior. I have never lowered myself to respond to these ignorant people. It's our best defense. Luckily my son never found out about my parents stupidity and he has led a happy productive life. I pray no Autistic child will ever have to experience cruel words or acts towards them, because as we all know, our kids have the most innocent precious hearts, and we should always do whatever we need to to protect them. Love and best wishes to you all.

Unless the person is being very rude, I will politely educate them. Then maybe they will be kinder (or at least more patient) the next time they encounter a neurodivergent person.
I did once catch a woman mumbling under her breath when we were brought to a ride exit to get on a ride ahead of the line at Six Flags. I very quietly went to her and said "I'll be happy to trade places with you, but at least one of your children will need to become Autistic." It probably didn't change her outlook, but it sure did make me feel better.