The Perception of Nurses From Children With Intellectual Disabilities Using the Drawing Method: A Qualitative Study

This study aims to explore how children with mild intellectual disabilities perceive the nursing profession through the drawing method.

This qualitative descriptive study used visual data analysis and the draw-and-tell technique to explore children's perceptions of nursing.

Phenomenology, a qualitative research approach, was employed to analyse 66 drawings obtained through the drawing method.

The analysis revealed that children with intellectual disabilities predominantly perceive nurses as female and associate them with syringes. Furthermore, 82% of the children depicted nurses with smiling facial expressions, while only 4% portrayed frightened facial expressions. Through the drawing method, nurses can gain valuable insights into effective approaches when interacting with children with special needs. Moreover, this method has the potential to mitigate fears and foster positive perceptions of nursing among children with mild intellectual disabilities.

A total of 66 participants consisting of children with intellectual disabilities agreed to participate in this study. Interviews with these participants were conducted in special education centres. Their responses contributed significantly to the content of this article. It will contribute to the approach of nurses to children with special needs.