When her son was 18 months old, Labor MP Emma Husar was told he would never speak or play in a sports team with his friends.
Now at the age of 10, Mitch is doing both.
A clearly angry Ms Husar hit out at Pauline Hanson's suggestion that autistic children should be removed from mainstream classrooms to stop other kids being held back.
The One Nation leader, speaking during a Senate debate on schools funding, said it was no good allowing these kids to feel good about themselves without considering the impact it is having on other children in the classroom.
"I'm disappointed that in 2017 we've got people like Senator Hanson sitting over there in the Senate making ill-informed comments about kids that are autistic," Ms Husar said in Canberra on Thursday.
"Kids like my son Mitch who's 10 and autistic and has been in mainstream (classes) for a few years now, but that wasn't always the case."
Despite being told her son wouldn't be included in a mainstream class he now is.
"He does very, very well," Ms Husar said.
Senator Hanson's comments were like others she made, the MP said.
They call on people to be divided and to segregate those who are different.
"She owes an apology to every single autistic child in this country, every one of the parents who are like me - because we've got better things to do than defend our kids," Ms Husar said.
"I've got one thing to say to every single child on the autism spectrum who is going into the classroom today ... you matter.
"Even on the days that are hard, when you're frustrated and your disability makes you angry you are still better than she is on her best day."
[videocard video="973198403523"]
