Amanda Contal’s comments came after One Nation leader and senator Pauline Hanson suggested it would be better for teachers if students with autism and disability were put in special classrooms.

Ms Contal’s son Tristan, 7, has autism and attends Horsham Special School.

“I was shocked by Pauline Hanson’s comments,” she said.

“It was a very narrow point of view about children with autism because there is such a huge spectrum.

“All children are different and it is very hard to put them into one category.

“It broke my heart to hear her comments – I couldn’t believe it.”

Ms Contal said all children, whether they had a disability or not, had the right to an education.

“The idea of getting rid of them from classrooms is rubbish,” she said.

Ms Hanson argued having disabled students in a classroom was detrimental to other students.

She said teachers often spent more time with children with disabilities and neglected other students.

“I understand that parents without a disabled child might feel like their child is missing out at school,” Ms Contal said.

“My daughter doesn’t have a disability and she will go to school next year, so I can see both sides of the fence.

“But that’s where we need to improve the system. 

“We need more funding for education so changes can be made on a bigger scale.”

Ms Contal said communities needed to be more inclusive of anyone with a disability.

“It’s about creating awareness,” she said.

Ms Contal said Tristan was doing well at school.

“We moved back to Horsham last year from Melbourne and he did a few years in kindergarten because he had delayed language,” she said.

“He started school at the special school this year and he is going well.

“I thought about sending him to a mainstream school and maybe down the track I might send him there – I’ll wait and see.

Ms Contal said so far this year Tristan had improved his skills.

“He’s come so far with his language, which is huge for him,” she said.

“The main thing is that he is enjoying school at the moment and making friends.”