225: Without Restraint: A Father’s Journey in Advocating for His Son’s Future with Robert DeLena

In this episode of the Young Dad podcast, host Jey Young speaks with Robert Delena, a father who defied expert opinions regarding his son Ryan's developmental challenges. Robert shares his journey of advocating for Ryan, who was diagnosed with pervasive developmental disorder and faced extreme behavior modification techniques in therapeutic schools. Through skiing, Robert discovered Ryan's untapped potential, leading to a radical shift in their parenting approach. The conversation explores the importance of trusting parental instincts, the impact of diagnosis, and the healing power of nature. Robert emphasizes the need for parents to be advocates for their children and to question professional advice when necessary.

Takeaways
Robert's story highlights the importance of parental advocacy.
Skiing became a transformative experience for Ryan.
Trusting your instincts as a parent is crucial.
Diagnosis can sometimes hinder rather than help children.
The educational system often fails to accommodate individual needs.
Nature has a healing power that can benefit children.
Parents should question professional advice when it doesn't feel right.
Finding a passion can change a child's life trajectory.
Support and love are essential for a child's development.
Every child deserves the chance to thrive beyond labels.

Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Fatherhood and Advocacy
01:44 Defying Expert Opinions: A Father's Journey
03:16 Questioning the System: A Father's Perspective
08:34 The Struggles with Therapeutic Schools
15:46 The Impact of Skiing on Ryan's Life
21:45 Navigating Mental Health and Medication
28:55 Finding Passion: The Power of Skiing
31:16 Education and Individualized Learning
32:07 Rethinking Education for Modern Kids
33:16 The Importance of Outdoor Activities
35:37 Navigating Interests and Hobbies
37:47 Supporting Kids' Passions
39:13 Growth Through Shared Experiences
41:56 Advice for Parents Facing Challenges
43:07 Navigating Mental Health and Medication
46:15 Trusting Parental Instincts
50:17 Fun and Lighthearted Questions
53:30 Advice for Young Fathers
56:13 lifestyle-outro-low.wav

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