Robert Delena
Robert Delana is the co-author of Without Restraint, a powerful account of raising a child who challenged conventional views of behavior, diagnosis, and education. When his son Ryan struggled to regulate emotions, he was placed in therapeutic schools that relied on restrictive and often harmful interventions, including physical restraint. Despite years of medical evaluations, medications, and expert guidance, little seemed to help—and at one point, Robert and his wife were advised to place their son in a group home. They refused.
Everything began to shift after an impulsive decision to take Ryan skiing revealed a different side of him—one unseen by professionals. As Ryan quickly excelled, Robert began to question the systems and assumptions that had defined his son’s path.
Today, Robert shares his story to help parents rethink labels, trust their instincts, and better understand children who don’t fit traditional molds.