Palin has a nephew with autism (Palin's sister has a 13 year old son with autism).

Trig Palin's story is safe ground for the Republican ticket - Los Angeles Times

"As governor, she can point to a track record. In the budget she signed into law this year, Palin approved a dramatic raise in spending on "intensive needs" children, as Alaska officials define them, including those who need nurses full time or cannot breathe without ventilators. When Palin took office in 2006, the state was spending $27,000 a year per child. The budget she signed this year raised that funding to $49,000 per child. In three years, the amount will rise to $74,000, which is roughly equal to the yearly per-child cost of educating special needs children."

"Several other disability programs received increases. And Palin has nearly doubled state spending to combat fetal alcohol syndrome and has increased spending on adult mental health services by 59%. She also has shifted about $1.25 million in state money to faith-based programs that provide social services."