Parents of children with special needs have reacted strongly to Pauline Hanson's controversial calls for them to be removed from mainstream classrooms, with many calling the comments "offensive".

They say while schools do need more resources to help children with disabilities, Senator Hanson's claims the education of other children is suffering are unwarranted.

They argue that rather than disadvantaging their classmates by monopolising teachers' time, children with special needs actually enrich the learning environment.

But some say mainstream schools simply cannot cope with the demands of children with special needs.

'I want my son to have an impact'

Annette McLaren's son Scott, 9, has Asperger's. He attends a mainstream state school in Sydney.

Nine-year-old Scott McLaren, who has Asperger's, attends a mainstream public primary school in Sydney. ( Supplied: Annette McLaren )

Ms McLaren said she encountered some resistance from other parents at the school who were concerned about the disruption he may cause in the classroom.

She recognised children with special needs can take up more of the teachers' time and their behaviour can often be disruptive. But she argued all children benefited from diversity in the classroom, which added "strength and richness" to their education.

"I want my son to have an impact on your child, I want him to have an impact on you," she said.

"It is something from which you and yours might benefit."

'I witnessed the teachers becoming exhausted'

But Teresa Pollifrone, whose son Daniel, now 18, has high-functioning autism, backed Pauline Hanson's view.

Daniel Pollifrone, who is now 18 and has high-functioning autism, struggled in mainstream schools. ( Supplied: Teresa Pollifrone )

She said when Daniel was younger she moved him to four different mainstream schools in Adelaide in an effort to find one that could cope with his needs.

"I saw the same pattern in every mainstream school," she said.

"I witnessed the teachers becoming exhausted trying to devote time and energy to all children but finding it impossible.

"They were also feeling guilty about neglecting mainstream students due to the fact that more time was necessary for kids with autism.

"I have had many conversations with teachers regarding classrooms for children with special needs, this would have been a godsend. Pauline Hanson is not trying to put these kids down, she is purely recognising what the teachers, the parents and the kids need."

'The autistic kids are the ones left behind'

Natasha Brook, who has autism, went to a mainstream primary school but now attends a special education unit within her high school. ( Supplied: Lisa Brook )

Lisa Brook's daughter Natasha has autism and intellectual difficulties.

She attended a mainstream primary school in Adelaide and is now in a special education unit at her high school.

Ms Brook described Senator Hanson's comments as "totally deplorable".

"Pauline Hanson is wrong," she said.

"The autistic kids are the ones left behind as they get filed in the too-hard basket and miss out on education."

'Schools and teachers need to be better resourced'

Heather Ryan's son Joe, 7, has autism. He attends a mainstream Catholic primary school in Melbourne.

Ms Ryan said Senator Hanson's comments were "offensive".

She argued the workforce participation rate and education outcomes for people on the autism spectrum show it is these children who are being disadvantaged in schools, not their classmates.

But she said segregation was not the answer.

"It is a lottery to find a local mainstream school that meets the learning needs of a child on the spectrum," she said.

"Their needs are diverse. Schools and teachers need to be better resourced to meet diverse learning needs."