The Charlie Kirk Show

Episode: Overcoming Autism with Leland Vittert
Date: November 25, 2025
Host: Charlie Kirk
Guest: Leland Vittert, Journalist & Author of Born Lucky

Episode Overview

This episode centers around the inspirational journey of Leland Vittert, journalist and author of Born Lucky, who overcame severe childhood struggles relating to autism. The conversation delves into Leland's personal story, the challenges he faced growing up, the critical role of his father, and the broader implications for parenting and child development. The tone is candid, motivating, and at times, deeply personal, offering hope and practical insight for families navigating similar challenges.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Leland Vittert’s Early Diagnosis and Childhood Challenges

(24:56)

• Leland was diagnosed with autism at about 8 years old after being evaluated for behavioral and sensory issues.
• His parents were told, “there’s not much you can do.”
• The diagnoses included:
  • Severe social awkwardness, inability to fit in.
  • Extreme sensory issues (meltdowns due to clothing textures, etc.).
  • A 70-point IQ test spread, from near-mental-retardation in some aspects to genius in others.

Quote:

"Born Lucky is the story of what happened when I was diagnosed with what we now know to be autism. ... My dad quitting his job and trying day by day, hour by hour, minute by minute, to adapt me to the world rather than the world to me."
— Leland Vittert (25:38)

2. The Heroic Role of Leland’s Father

(24:56 – 29:57)

• Leland’s father refused to allow him to be defined by the diagnosis or to indulge victimhood.
• He quit his job to help Leland adapt to the world, emphasizing real-world functioning without special accommodations.
• Strategies included:
  • Rigorous physical challenges (200 push-ups/day for months) to build self-esteem when Leland didn’t fit in academically, socially, or athletically.
  • Detailed social coaching: taking Leland to meals, teaching him to interpret and respect social cues (e.g., using a watch tap to silently cue Leland to stop talking in company).
  • Role-playing situations after the fact, dissecting what went wrong and how to improve.

Quotes:

"Self-esteem is not given, it's earned."
— Leland Vittert (27:32)

"My dad would tap his watch … to give me that signal without publicly humiliating me ... then after the lunch, we'd role-play ... These were the very granular teachings of the social equation."
— Leland Vittert (29:18)

3. The Importance of Parent-Driven Engagement

(30:47 – 33:33)

• The book has resonated with many parents who feel helpless about their struggling children.
• Leland’s story is a testament to relentless parenting and the refusal to accept “just the way they are” as fate.
• He relates a story of a nonverbal, profoundly autistic young man whose life dramatically improved when his dad insisted on teaching him to swim—emphasizing that kids can improve with challenge, not just accommodation.

Quote:

"There are so many people who feel so helpless ... this is really proof that you can make an enormous difference ... Born Lucky is not how to turn your autistic kid into a TV news anchor. This is a story of how every kid can be more if a parent really digs in."
— Leland Vittert (30:53)

4. Modern Attitudes Toward Autism and Neurodivergence

(30:03 – 33:33)

• Discussion on how rising autism diagnoses are often accompanied by “neurodivergence” labels, sometimes encouraging passivity or over-accommodation.
• Leland and the hosts critique over-diagnosing and over-medicating children, arguing that discipline and high expectations matter more than ever.
• Leland emphasizes: “You are not a victim. Victimhood is addictive.”

Quote:

"There's real hard work to be done and just a diagnosis ... and meeting that kid where they're at and just saying, you be you and you're great ... is not a recipe for success. And Born Lucky is proof of that."
— Leland Vittert (33:12)

5. Ongoing Adulthood Struggles and Hope for Change

(36:56 – 39:47)

• Leland admits he still faces social challenges, likening autism to alcoholism—something that requires constant work.
• He shares a recent story where, task-focused, he ignored a social greeting, echoing his childhood struggles.
• His father’s decision never to reveal the autism diagnosis was deliberate: so Leland would not be defined or limited by it.

Quote:

"You don't have to be defined by a diagnosis. Nobody does. But if you let yourself be defined, if you use it as an excuse, it will always, always be there."
— Leland Vittert (39:33)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Parental Determination:
  “He didn’t tell anybody about my diagnosis… Dad decided that I would need to learn how to function in the real world, as difficult as that would be.” (26:32, Leland Vittert)

• On Self-Esteem:
  “Kids get self esteem from one of three things…” (27:32, Leland Vittert)

• On Modern Culture and Victimhood:
  “Victimhood is addictive. ... Just a diagnosis ... is not a recipe for success.” (33:12, Leland Vittert)

• On Not Letting a Diagnosis Define You:
  “You don’t have to be defined by a diagnosis. ... if you use it as an excuse, it will always, always be there.” (39:33, Leland Vittert)

Important Segment Timestamps

• [24:56] — Leland begins recounting his autism diagnosis and childhood challenges.
• [27:32] — Describes his father’s “earn your self-esteem” philosophy and physical regimen.
• [29:18] — Social coaching method and detailed role-play examples.
• [30:53] — Impactful message to parents feeling helpless; hope through hard work.
• [33:12] — Critique on over-diagnosis/over-accommodation in culture.
• [36:56] — Leland on lifelong work with autism and recent adulthood example.
• [39:33] — Closing lessons on not letting diagnosis define your future.
• [40:39] — Book information (Born Lucky on Amazon and bornlucky.com).

Additional Highlights

• Listener email (35:59): Jennifer, an autism support teacher, shares her personal journey of misdiagnosis and giving hope to her students—showing the broader reach of Leland's story.
• Connection to the season of Thanksgiving: The episode reframes struggle as an opportunity for gratitude, especially towards family and parents who fight for their children’s potential.

Resources and Where to Find More

• Book: Born Lucky by Leland Vittert (Available on Amazon, bornlucky.com)
• Leland on social media: @lelandvittert