How would you reply?

[imaflutteringkite]

DS is 10 although looks much older than his age. He has ASD and severe anxiety. To cope with his anxiety he will almost always wear a hoody with the hood up and a hat over it. Previously he was unable to leave the house at all so this is an improvement.

Now it's getting warmer we have started getting "is it cold out" type comments when people see him. He hides when someone talks to him and I'm always caught off guard. There is no way he would be comfortable with me disclosing his ASD and I'm not a very confrontational person and I'm never sure what to say to people though I manage to think of replies after we've left! Please help me think of some suitable replies as I'm never quite sure how to respond

"No" would work for me.

I have to wear earphones and sunglasses. Even in the middle of winter. If I'm asked if I want to talk my sunglasses off, it's a simple "no" response. They don't need to know why.

Thank you. That's a great answer. I'm going to use that. I've always felt I have to talk to them but I can see how that would be effective.

Shrug and a ‘he likes it’.

Or just a hard stare. Which is what I would do because my hearing is poor so I’d probably be trying to figure out what they said!

Tried angry staring but I found that it just encourages them. I think the problem is as he looks much older people assume he's up for a joke with them. They don't mean any malice but god it's repetitive

He’s fine, thank you. Then change the subject.