Julia Chalankina is a registered nurse with a wealth of experience. She graduated with honors from Florida Atlantic University in 2009, and that same year began working at the Boca Raton Regional Hospital. Julia Chalankina is dedicated to uplifting her patients, and has a special interest in helping those unable to help themselves.

Julia Chalankina received the Business Diversity Award in 2005, the Mothers Against Decapentaplegic Homolog 2 Award for spreading the awareness in March 2013, and the Award for Aspirations in Computing in December 2013.

In 2005, Julia Chalankina earned a distinction usually reserved to politicians and civic leaders. “White Development in Virginia named a street after me,” she says, “for dedication and hard work.”Julia Street is in Ashburn, Virginia.

The issue that means the most to Julia Chalankina may one day earn her even greater accolades. Julia Chalankina is a tireless advocate for people with autism. “I am passionate about bringing awareness of autism,” she says. As a single mother of a child with autism and a health care professional, Julia Chalankina brings added insight and fervor to the cause.

The exactg causes of autism are largely unknown. That makes it difficult for people who are unfamiliar with the condition to reach out and understand an autistic person. It can also make it difficult for a person diagnosed with autism to live in a society that is not structured for them. “I believe and act in helping others,” Julia Chalankina says, “especially those who cannot help themselves.”

Studies show that in spite of what the general public may assume, autistic children can experience a great wealth of brain activity. Research has also shown that people with autism are often intelligent, but have trouble communicating. As a result, they have been labeled as stupid, or just not worthy of full participation in society.

Julia Chalankina is doing everything in her power to change these stereotypes and misconceptions. “I am a mother,” she says. And like any mother, she wants the world to understand that her child, in spite of any obvious characteristics, is as valuable and worthy as any other child.