I am autistic. I work in academia, which draws many autistic people. Some of my coworkers are autistic, as are some of the students we serve.

And I've never -- EVER -- seen any of us throw a "Roman" salute, no matter how excited we are. Jumping, squeaking, hand-flapping, sure. But no Nazi salutes, ever.

Elmo is a very poor example of an autist and a human being. Fortunately, most of us know better and do better.