We’ve all done it. Who hasn’t been innocently hanging out at the inauguration of a man dubbed by people in his own party as the next Hitler and accidentally performed a Nazi salute that could only be more blatant if it was accompanied by a tiny finger moustache?

As autistics, we recognise that this could happen to any one of us – so here’s a quick emergency guide to the dos and don’ts of waving without inadvertently paying tribute to Adolf Hitler. 

Do hold your arm at a right angle to your body. 

Don’t stretch your arm out in front of you like you’re trying to reach a high shelf for the last white pointy hood.

Do wave your wrist in what’s typically recognised as a waving motion.

Don’t goose step.

Do make sure you don’t express any opinions that could make your intentions unclear. 

Don’t play an instrumental role in electing the guy everyone is calling America’s Hitler. 

If you do mistakenly slip up, don’t panic. While autistic behaviour can be easily misinterpreted, people who otherwise think you should be tortured into being normal or eugenicsed out of existence will suddenly be mysteriously understanding about your autistic exuberance. And you can’t say Führer than that. 


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