Leland Vittert 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 , which is out today, Tuesday, September 30.

According to People , the book describes how the NewsNation anchor was born with his umbilical cord wrapped around his neck and knotted twice. Nicknamed “Lucky” by the doctor for surviving the birth, Vittert showed signs of autism from a young age, including not speaking until he was three, avoiding eye contact, and struggling with social cues.

He was routinely bullied in middle and high school, facing abuse from both fellow students and teachers. In the book, per People, Vittert recalls how a principal once told his parents, Mark and Carol, “the people here think Lucky is really

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