HI,
According to your profile you are running v10.6.3. Click your Apple menu / Software Update. That will update your system to v10.6.5.
Then repair permissions. Launch Disk Utility. (Applications/Utilities) Select MacintoshHD in the panel on the left, select the FirstAid tab. Click: Repair Disk Permissions. When it's finished from the Menu Bar, Quit Disk Utility and restart your Mac. If you see a long list of "messages" in the permissions window, it's ok. That can be ignored. As long as you see, "Permissions Repair Complete" when it's finished... you're done. Quit Disk Utility and restart your Mac.
Now restart the iPad.
Now try syncing the iPad with your Mac. If that didn't help, click here
Device not recognized in iTunes for Mac OS X for further instructions.
Carolyn 🙂