It's unclear how these conditions would affect a child's response to trauma, Raison said. There is not enough research to support a generalization about how any given child with these conditions would likely react to situation such as Ethan's.

Regardless, it's important for any child who has been through trauma to return to normal routines, said Anna McConnell, state autism coordinator in Alabama. Having a daily routine is especially important with autism spectrum disorders generally, she said. Children with these diagnoses tend to find comfort in consistency and familiarity.

"Get the child back to the things that they loved and enjoyed," said Elana Newman, professor of psychology at the University of Tulsa.

Separations and reunions may be difficult after experiencing this kind of trauma, she said, which involved a child being isolated from one's community.

There are several kinds of therapy that have been shown to be effective in helping children through traumatic situations. They include trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy, a specific type of psychological therapy that targets thinking and behaviors.

Other interventions involve both young children and their parents. The Child & Family Traumatic Stress Intervention program, developed at Yale University, aims to increase communication between parents and children and prevent longer-term disorders.

Hyde said she recently had a reunion with other women who had been on the Chowchilla bus in 1976, and they realized that they struggled with some of the same issues.

"I think for me personally, the fact that I was able to discuss it all these years has helped me tremendously in my recovery," Hyde said.