DS has autism and his needs are quite complex. There are lots of activities he just doesn't enjoy. The one thing he really loves is swimming and we go 5x a week normally.
As he's on a reduced timetable I usually take him early afternoon when it's quiet. Obviously a bit busier now as it's the school holidays.
Went swimming today and DS was jumping about and he was swinging his arms. There was a couple there with their grandchild. DS splashed the grandad and may have knocked him with his hand. I apologised instantly and this man was ridiculous. Said I shouldn't bring my child swimming if I can't control him (bearing in mind we were in the small pool so quite a few children splashing. I apologised again and said he's autistic. This man snapped that was no excuse and every badly behaved child has autism these days.
I ignored him after that and he left quite soon after. His reaction seems OTT I have been bumped by kids and DS has bumped in to other people. Usually parents just apologise and that's it.
I suffer from low confidence and self esteem and the whole incident has put me off talking him swimming again in the holidays.
DH normally takes him swimming on the weekend so he will still get some pool time.
I don't want to deprive DS of something he loves but it's fucking hard being judged by strangers. How do you react when you get bumped by a young child in the small pool? Would I be really unreasonable to not take him swimming until September? I feel I should just ignore the twat and carry on but I'm worried about a similar incident happening.