We are organising a pub evening in conversation with Ksyusha Reitsen, exploring how parents can shape and organise life with a child with special needs—so that it is full of joy, meaning, plans, and support.

At the beginning of the evening, Ksyusha will share her nearly 20 years of experience working at the Centre for Curative Pedagogics in Russia. Since 1989, the Centre has been providing medical, educational, legal, and psychological support to children and young people with various developmental disabilities, as well as their families. It offers assistance to children and adults with autism, epilepsy, cerebral palsy, genetic syndromes, intellectual disabilities, behavioural disorders, and other conditions.

Following this, in an open conversation, we’ll explore topics that matter to you now as parents of children with special needs. For example:

• Where do unwanted behaviours and tantrums come from, and how can they be addressed or prevented?
• How can we find games and activities that are enjoyable for both children and parents?
• How to understand what your child wants if they do not use speech
• Relationships with siblings
• Social life
• Adolescence – what to prepare for in advance
• When a special child grows up, do they become a special adult?
• Independent living

When: Friday, 13 June 2025, 18:00–20:00 (BST)
Where: The Punter gastro pub, 3 Pound Hill, Cambridge CB3 0AE
Language: Introduction in Russian; discussion in both Russian and English
Format: In person
Tickets: £5
Please note: food and drinks ordered at the pub are not included in the ticket price.
Booking: Please book your tickets via AllEvents.

This evening is also an opportunity for parents of children with special needs to meet, share experiences, and begin forming a supportive community.

You are welcome to leave your contact details in the additional form if you would like to send questions to the presenter for discussion, or to arrange an individual meeting.

Ksenia Reitsen

Ksenia Reitsen is a psychologist and teacher working with neurodivergent children. At the Centre for Curative Pedagogics “Special Childhood” (CCP) in Russia, she led play therapy sessions for preschool children with various developmental disabilities, conducting both group and individual sessions.
She also ran informational and psychological support groups for parents of children attending different CCP programmes, including school readiness groups, groups for children with multiple developmental disabilities, groups for adolescents, and play groups. In addition, she co-facilitated support groups for parents of preschool-aged children with autism as part of the Early Bird programme.
Ksyusha currently lives in London, where she provides individual psychological counselling to parents of children and adolescents with various developmental disabilities. She also co-hosts an online information and support group for parents of children with autism spectrum disorder, and gives lectures and webinars for specialists and parents of children with developmental needs.