I would suggest that Governor Palin does not have a clue what being the parent of a child with special needs is all about. But she will. Putting aside the fact that Governor Palin has a Down syndrome child and not an autistic child -- she does not and could not have a clue as to what is in store for her and her family.
My autistic son is almost 21. He wasn't even diagnosed until age 3. I have been very active over the years with Special Olympics and my son's programs -- I have been president of the special needs booster club at his high school for the last 7 years. While both autistic children and Down syndrome children fall under the "special needs" umbrella, there is a world of difference. Down syndrome can be diagnosed in the womb and parents can be easily educated on what to expect in terms of health issues, educational issues, etc. Down children tend to be loving, outgoing rays of sunshine in the world. Autistic children, depending on where they fall on the spectrum, can be totally withdrawn and living in their own world, unwilling to give a hug or make eye contact, unable to speak, to an individual who can be educated and trained to be fairly functional and productive adults, albeit with (usually) socialization and sensory integration issues. Our children never grow up and if they leave home, it will usually be to live in a group home, either by choice or because their behavioral problems are so severe that they cannot be handled at home. Most of us will never have the joy of being grandparents and will always bear the guilt of somehow creating a child who is less than perfect, no matter how many times we are told by the doctors that they don't know what causes autism and there is nothing that you did wrong.
Each autistic child is a unique individual and fighting the system until they turn 22 to get them the best education and services that they need is exhausting and mind-numbing at best. The divorce rate among parents of special needs children is extremely high -- on the other hand, those of us who have been lucky enough to find a spouse who willingly takes on the challenge of loving one of our children is a very special person in their own right.
We all have our stories and Governor Palin will have hers as well. In one respect, she will be in a position as governor to impact the level of funding for special education programs -- which are mandated by the federal government, but only partially funded, putting the burden on the states and local school districts to try and meet the needs of our children and their parents/families.
It is a subject that (almost) every parent of a special needs child feels strongly about. There is no one else to advocate for our kids and that makes us very strong and outspoken parents.
I consider my son a gift from God and my life has been forever changed in the best of ways. I love him more than life and would not change anything in my life that brought him to me. For Senator McCain to suggest that because Governor Palin has a 6-month old Down syndrome baby she therefore understands our world is actually insulting to those of us who have lived in this world for any period of time.