Autistic #DancingBarista video goes viral

The YouTube video of the #DancingBarista, an autistic teenager named Sam, who is working the coffee bar at a Starbucks in Toronto, Canada, has received global praise on social media.

Sam has a movement disorder - he has a hard time keeping still.

Carly Fleischmann, who posted the video, is also autistic. On January 23, she shared her YouTube video on Facebook and it went viral within hours. She said in her post: “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.”

In reaction to the video (you can watch it on gulfnews.com), many shared stories on Facebook about autistic people in the workplace.

Carol Emory from Wilmington, USA, posted: “We actually have an autistic teen that works the register at the Starbucks near us. He’s very polite… very thorough… and even asks us how to spell our name for the cup because he wants to make sure he gets everything right. I’ve never had a bad order from him because he always asks and never assumes.”

Maureen Plumb wrote: “My niece has Asperger’s and also some other issues. Starbucks hired her! She loves it. They make her feel like part of the team.”

Many praised the efforts, patience and leadership of the manager who put in the extra time to make sure Sam would succeed.

Shelley Page commented: “We need more bosses like Chris, more people need to be as accepting and willing to hire people like Sam. Sam brings hope to all people with autism, most don’t realise greatness when they see it.”

The National Autistic Society in the UK (@BristolNAS) posted: “Fantastic story, Sam the #DancingBarista! The world needs more understanding employers like this. #AutismAwareness”

Kate Van Buskirk ‏@K8VBeast, said: “This makes my heart happy... and it makes me want to dance with him! Dude’s got moves! #notdefinedbydiagnosis #DancingBarista.”