Comic Strip Addresses Autism

By: Dave Astor A character will be diagnosed with autism next month in the "Clear Blue Water" comic by Karen Montague-Reyes of Universal Press Syndicate.

The character, Seth, is one of five children in the strip's Torres family. Montague-Reyes herself is the mother of five childen, one of whom is autistic.

Various episodes of "Clear Blue Water," which has built a client list of more than 75 papers since its May 2004 launch, have already indicated that Seth has developmental issues.

Montague-Reyes said she's trying to be as accurate and realistic as possible about autism, a disorder that's increasing in the United States and worldwide. One thing the cartoonist will touch on is the possible link between vaccinations and autism.

But Montague-Reyes emphasized that "Clear Blue Water" won't get too depressing. "You can have a child who's disabled and still have a happy family," she told E&P, speaking of both her comic family and her real-life family.

For more on "Clear Blue Water" and its creator, see the upcoming "Features of the Year" article in E&P's November print issue.