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On the spectrum and the Seven Seas

December 31, 2021

Five young people go on a sailing trip together — nothing unusual in that. What makes this adventure special is that all the participants have autism. It's a shared experienced aimed at boosting self-esteem in everyday life.

https://p.dw.com/p/452AB

This is a challenging step for all five. Everything is different here, no day like the last. The ship is cramped. Social contact is unavoidable. Luckily, co-skipper Corinna is an experienced support worker. It’s not long before the sparks begin to fly — but when all's said and done, this is the high point of the year for them all. Because all the sailors have autism, there’s no need to for them to change themselves, or mask any problems they might encounter in this unfamiliar environment. Back home on dry land, it’s often a very different story. A report by Anna Marie Goretzki.

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About the show

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DW’s on-the-ground reporters are always close to the action, be it covering international events or zooming in on some of the quirks of daily life. Camera always in hand, they report on the changes they see taking place in Germany, Europe and around the world.