Leland Vittert<\/a> is opening up about his experiences with autism in his new memoir, Born Lucky: A Dedicated Father, A Grateful Son, and My Journey with Autism<\/em><\/a>, which is out today, Tuesday, September 30.<\/p>\n According to People<\/em><\/a>, the book describes how the NewsNation anchor<\/a> was born with his umbilical cord wrapped around his neck and knotted twice. Nicknamed \u201cLucky\u201d by the doctor for surviving the birth, Vittert<\/a> showed signs of autism from a young age, including not speaking until he was three, avoiding eye contact, and struggling with social cues.<\/p>\n He was routinely bullied in middle and high school, facing abuse from both fellow students and teachers. In the book, per People<\/em>, Vittert recalls how a principal once told his parents, Mark and Carol, \u201cthe people here think Lucky is really pretty weird\u2026 I guess I do too.\u201d<\/p>\n However, with the help of his family, especially his father, Vittert learned how to thrive. \u201cAs a little kid, I didn\u2019t have any kid friends because I was so repellent to kids,\u201d Vittert writes. \u201cSo talking to my dad about politics became my only outlet.\u201d<\/p>\n