I agree with Lee Bee completely. If it is anxiety as you suspect then telling the child to stop will in all likelihood make things worse.

That's unfortunate pinkspring331...alth ough not to surprising. Yelling at you under any circumstances is not okay, in front of your children is even worse and I too would have asked her to leave my house, and in all honesty I would have terminated because it is in my contract that under no circumstances is it acceptable to raise voice or show aggression towards me, my family or anyone else on premises.

It is however, a common acute response that a parent act defensively and lose their cool when someone questions their child's behavior..especially behavior not considered "normal" I use that term loosely. I think maybe her actions indicate that this behavior is more of a worry to her than she lets on. I know you said it comes across as her not caring, but reading between the lines, it may very well be the complete opposite. Trying to ignore it and hoping it will go away doesn't help the child, but is a common coping mechanism for parents of children presenting with potential spectrum behaviors or anything outside the norm. So sorry you bore the brunt of it and in front of your children too. I am not excusing her actions but I am offering an explanation for her reaction and hopefully this will give you some understanding of why she acted in such a way and it's probably not about you. Human moments rarely occur at convenient times or manifest in ways that don't involve negative ramifications. I would just try to use it as a teachable moment for your kids and try not to let it bother you to much. All to often those on the front line are the ones who get hit hardest but there always has to be a starting point. I'm sure if it carries on at school in the fall this child will be quickly flagged and get some help and this mother will no doubt think back to this day with you and connect some dots.