Leland Vittert on Autism Diagnosis, Father's Support, and Memoir 'Born Lucky'

Childhood Autism Diagnosis

• 💡 As a child, Leland Vittert was diagnosed with what is now known as autism.
• 🎯 His parents were told he had profound developmental delays and severe learning disabilities, with a significant IQ spread.
• ⚠️ The initial prognosis left his parents feeling hopeless and helpless.

Father's Unwavering Support

• 🚀 Leland's father refused to let him be defined by his diagnosis and instead focused on adapting Leland for the world.
• 👨‍👦 The memoir "Born Lucky" is dedicated to his father, who quit his job to support Leland's development and even acted as his friend.
• 💔 Vittert shares a story of a teacher's cruel remark, highlighting how his father would spend hours comforting him and later crying in private.

Message of Hope and Resilience

• ✨ "Born Lucky" aims to provide hope to parents and families facing challenges with children, including autism, ADHD, anxiety, and bullying.
• 🔑 Vittert emphasizes his father's lessons that while he might not excel in school, friends, or sports, hard work and character are controllable and paramount.
• 🗣️ He advocates that individuals do not have to be defined by a diagnosis, but rather see themselves as individuals first.