How Leland Vittert transformed from being isolated to joining network television

Embracing Autism: Leland Wittert’s Journey

When Leland Wittert, a NewsNation reporter, was diagnosed with autism as a child, his dad viewed it not as a setback but as something to be refined. This perspective, Wittert feels, greatly contributed to his achievements in adulthood.

While he attributes his resilience to his upbringing, it was during college that he discovered the real shift needed to come from within himself, rather than expecting the world to adapt.

“In college, I began to understand that I was the one who had to change,” Wittert recalled. His father had once said during a tense moment, “The very traits that lead to your bullying now will be the same qualities that help you thrive in life.” Looking back, Wittert acknowledges his father’s wisdom. He realized that, strangely, his middle school experiences were excellent preparation for the fast-paced environment of a newsroom.

His father often shared how he had faced rejection from fraternities in college—something Wittert could deeply relate to.

“By not pursuing any fraternity bids, he communicated that he understood loneliness, that he knew what I was feeling,” Wittert explained.

One particular night, after receiving bad news about not gaining a bid, Wittert found himself in an emotional state, facing snow and cold. He picked up the phone to call his dad, saying, “I’m just like you.” He soon realized it wasn’t solely about others; there were aspects he needed to work on himself. That revelation defined much of his college experience.

“For me, attending college wasn’t simply about my majors—economics and journalism. It turns out that studying journalism didn’t prepare me at all. It was more about my personal growth and applying the lessons from my dad,” he reflected.

Wittert came to understand that with hard work, he could shape his own future. He also recognized the special nature of the journalism field, where effort truly matters.