WATCH: Student With Autism Inspires During Graduation Speech

PLANO, TX — Graduating Plano Senior High students watched last week as their classmate, whom many had never heard speak, transformed into a motivational speaker of shocking proportions at the school's graduation ceremony.

Sef Scott, a Plano Senior High student with learning differences including autism, a social communication disorder, set out to do the unexpected at his graduation ceremony. And with help from his mom and brother Scott crafted a six-minute speech that garnered booming cheers and significant media attention.

Scott's autism causes him communication difficulties, he said. And while it affects his ability to speak, it didn't hold him back once he took to the stage.

"I would imagine that — to the seniors that know who I am — that it is entirely unexpected that I would be standing here giving this speech," Scott said after taking to the stage at the June 9 ceremony. "For the friends and family in attendance here tonight, allow me to briefly explain why this unexpected choice of speaker. My name is Sef Scott, and I am a student with learning differences. To be more specific, I have autism and a social communication disorder. While I have a vocabulary that you do, and I have the ability to physically produce spoken words, it is not a normal thing for me to electively speak."

Scott said in the speech he was supported and inspired by his younger brother, who often speaks publicly for fundraisers.

"My brother... is a nine-year brain tumor survivor who has given dozens of speeches to raise money for various children's' charities since 2009," Scott said. "So with his help and that of my mother, we worked sentence by sentence to make my voice heard."

Pausing only briefly but never coming to a stop, Scott's voice rose through the auditorium as occasional cheers erupted from the onlookers.

"All of us have plenty about us that makes us all unique. What a wonderful mix," Scott said. "We all share one thing in common for sure. We all made it. How do I know that? Well, it's kind of obvious. You're all right here with me at a graduation ceremony wearing those caps and gowns. Yes, I am autistic — but I'm also a smart aleck. Unexpected, right?"

His speech focused on a central theme — doing, living and being the unexpected. He encouraged his peers to follow in his footsteps and do unexpected, kind and helpful things each day.

"You can sprinkle unexpected moments throughout your everyday life that can benefit those around you with very little effort on your part," he said from the lectern.

Taking it a step further, he reminded the class of 2018 to not only do the unexpected for others, but to also do it for their own welfare.

"Are your next steps beyond tonight yours? Or are they what you believe those around expect you to take? Actually, ask yourself: Are your next steps where you want to go? If they aren't, then step off of that path," he implored of his peers. "Don't waste time on something you never wanted. Do the unexpected. It is your life that you are living — not anyone else's. So do what fulfills you. Don't fear the future. Don't fear the unknown. Will it be unexpected? Yes, yes it will. But that does not make it wrong."

Issuing one last line before a raucous of applause began, Scott brought the speech to a close.

"Remember, if you are following in someone else's footsteps, you will only get where they want to go. Be the unexpected, like me. Do the unexpected for the benefit of others. Live the unexpected for your own happiness."

His speech, first shared on social media by Plano ISD, has been viewed more than 644,000 times.

Image via Plano ISD