An inspiring autistic teenager has become an online sensation thanks to a video showing his fantastic dance moves as he makes coffee for customers.
The youngster, known only as Sam, was filmed making a cup of coffee for a customer while working alongside his boss Chris at a Starbucks restaurant in North America.
The teen is now known as ‘the dancing barista’, and reportedly told his parents that for the first time ever, he feels his life has “real meaning”.
Carly Fleischmann, who lives in Toronto, Canada, posted the video to YouTube and Facebook alongside a caption introducing Sam.
Carly was diagnosed at the age of two with severe autism and an oral motor condition that prevented her from speaking.
With the help of her dad Arthur, Carly penned an account of her experience, entitled Carly’s Voice – Breaking Through Autism.
She wrote: “My birthday is in four days and my birthday wish this year is to have this video go viral. I would like to introduce you to a young teenager named Sam.
“Sam was diagnosed with autism and like some people with autism Sam has a movement disorder. Sam has a hard time keeping his body still.
“Sam never thought that he would be able to work behind the bar because of his sudden movements but his manager Chris believed in him and got Sam to channel his movements into dance.
“It has taken Sam and Chris a lot of shifts and hours to get Sam to do what he is doing in the video. Sam is now known as the dancing barista. If it wasn’t for Chris believing in Sam he would have never believed in himself.
“More people like Sam need to be seen, heard and given a chance to thrive and dance.”
Carly’s wish that the clip would go viral in time for her birthday has come true – it has been viewed more than 45m times since being uploaded on Saturday.
One viewer praised Chris, writing: “I love how Chris, the manager, if that’s him in the background, is also moving to the music.
“If I were Sam that would make me feel so included and not sticking out like a sore thumb.”
Another wrote: “People with autism and other disabilities can do many things if people just open their minds a little and give us a chance.”