Sam has autism. And with some help from his boss, he's now the Dancing Barista.

Meet Sam, The Dancing Barista.

When Sam went for a job interview at a Starbucks coffee shop in the US, he went with low expectations. Although it was his dream to work behind the bar, he knew that his sudden hand movements made it difficult. And, as is the case for so many teens and adults with autism, he was often overlooked because of his disability.

Luckily, Sam’s manager Chris saw his potential.

Now, Sam works behind the bar at Starbucks. When he was hired, he told his parents that he felt like his life “had meaning”.

Chris and the team have turned Sam’s sporadic movements into a dance — and his funky dance moves and high energy are so contagious that he’s earned himself the nickname “The Dancing Barista”.

Sam’s story is heartwarming — but it shouldn’t be unique. A workplace culture that encourages the hiring of differently-abled employees not only promotes diversity within workplaces, but also helps to challenge societal prejudice.

For someone like Sam, a little tolerance changed his life — and the life of every kid with a disability who is reminded that they too can have a fulfilling life.