Keeping It Real: Conversations with Jillian Michaels Leland Vittert on the Middle East War, legacy media corruption, and his journey with autism.
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Sep 10, 2025 
Leland Vittert, Chief Washington anchor for News Nation and autism advocate, dives deep into pressing topics from the Middle East to media ethics. He shares gripping stories from his time as a war correspondent, navigating complex personal and professional challenges. Vittert also opens up about his journey with autism, highlighting the important dynamics between parents and children. The conversation touches on the political landscape, media biases, and the importance of understanding diverse perspectives in today's polarized climate.
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Father's Hands-On Social Coaching
- Leland describes how his father taught him social cues through dinners and post-game debriefs to manage autistic behaviors.
- Those repeated, practical lessons shaped his ability to navigate social situations later in life.
Autism Shows Extreme Cognitive Splits
- Leland emphasizes autism shows wide cognitive variability with huge IQ splits that obscure need for individualized approaches.
- He argues standard accommodations can be avoided if parents actively teach adaptive skills.
Ask 'Is There Anything We Can Do?'
- Do not accept a diagnosis as a final sentence; ask practitioners if anything can be done and push for interventions.
- Leland's father refused passive accommodation and focused on skills training to improve outcomes.
