The Rubin Report A Radically Different Approach to Raising Kids with Autism | Leland Vittert
Dec 27, 2025
Leland Vittert, NewsNation's chief Washington anchor and author of "Born Lucky," shares insights from his journalism career and personal journey with autism. He discusses how a transformative encounter with a failed suicide bomber redefined his views on the Israel-Palestine conflict. Vittert reveals his father's unconventional parenting approach that empowered him to thrive rather than succumb to his diagnosis. He emphasizes the importance of resilience, social coaching, and the ongoing journey of learning to navigate social situations, all while championing the investigation of autism's causes.
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Parents Refused Passive Accommodations
- Leland Vittert recounts his childhood autism evaluation where specialists said little could be done.
- His dad rejected accommodations and made it his mission to adapt Leland to the world instead.
Interview That Changed His View On Peace
- Leland describes interviewing Wafa, a failed Palestinian suicide bomber who laughed about 'almost tasting paradise.'
- That encounter crystallized his moral clarity about the prospects for peace with militants who refuse reconciliation.
Kindness Doesn't Guarantee Reconciliation
- Encountering people who reject peace even after receiving kindness reveals limits to conventional conflict solutions.
- Leland concluded that if opponents don't want peace, agreements alone can't fix the conflict.