Had a angry fit in mall yesterday

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Sunday I went to shopping in the shopping mall with m y husband and his friend and his wife and kids, because it was a hot day everybody was everywhere and it got noisy and busy. My husband said people were looking at me because I held a stiff angry posture, but I don't care about that. Then we we were walking through a really busy bit these teenage boys caught sight of me and decided to torment me usually I get teased by young BOYS for some reason, and I felt one of them poked me a few times and laughing ,trying to get my attention. I got so hot and bothered and overstimulated and I didnt want to put up with silly nonsense so I turned around and pushed the boys, they werent expecting that. Everybody stopped and looked and moved away from us, and my husband always thinks its funny when I embarras myself in public, but his friend and his wife get annoyed with me, and with my husband for being amused (my husband have ADHD and I'm sure some ASD traits, he doesnt mean it horribly). So I angerly walked away, and my husband's friend had to explain to a store security that I was autistic and was getting overwhelmed. The boys werent hurt, I suppose they wish they hadn't teased me in the beginnning. Then my husband came along (the others went off shopping) and he took me to a peaceful place to walk around together. I know he can be silly and likes being like an 'audience' when I have a public meltdown but at least he doesnt get angry and embarrassed with me, and he does anything he can to calm me down. And he did.

There comes a point where bullying becomes criminal; most clearly, that is where one person touches another.

If one of them poked you, then in most jurisdictions they committed simple battery. I might think a better involvement of mall security in this instance would have been to apprehend the boys. Viewed this way I might see your actions as self-defense.

In the extreme, the boys could be subject to arrest for their battery against your person, and the mall might even be civilly liable, subject to proof that they, as a commercial establishment open to the public, failed to provide reasonable security to ensure your safety while on their premises.

All of this is likely above-and-beyond in the case you mentioned. I am just weary of what has become the popular trendy use of the term "bullying" to excuse criminal behavior such as assault and battery.

The danger though is that people may not have noticed you being poked by the boys, only that when they look round to see what the commotion is about, they see you pushing the boys. That could get you into a lot of trouble, namely retaliatory action from the boys' parents, eviction from the mall or assault charges being laid against you. Why does your husband think it's funny when you draw attention in a public shopping centre? At least he did the right thing by taking you away to a quiet area to calm you down.

Indeed. One should always first consult with an attorney. The existence of security tapes might be an important consideration. I have been glad to note that in my area there is a law firm that has taken a special interest in defending bullying victims. I hope that is a sign that the ASD community can, in future, better enjoy public places, including schools, with less fear of attack.

(And yes, I take exception to euphemistically using the words "abuse" and "bullying" when referring to physical attacks.)