The aim of this study was to investigate which factors teachers and special needs education teachers view as being the main causes of mathematical learning difficulties and from these choose how to educate pupils with these difficulties. The aim was also to investigate how this education is organised at two different schools. An interview based investigation addressed these objectives by using three comprehensive questions:

Which factors do the teachers and special needs teachers view as being the main reasons for mathematical learning difficulties?

1. How do teachers and special needs teachers educate pupils with mathematical learning difficulties?
2. How is the education organised for pupils with mathematical learning difficulties at two different schools?

This study is based on four interviews of three teachers and one special needs teacher. The people interviewed work at two different primary schools in the same local authority. The results of the interviews show that it is the pupils’ experiences of the maths that affects how well they comprehend the subject. Furthermore factors such as reading and writing difficulties can cause problems with regards to understanding tasks in maths. Educationalists in this study regard a varied education with an element of group work, communication and experimental material as being beneficial for pupils with mathematical learning difficulties. How the education of pupils is organised depends on the extent of the learning difficulties of each pupil. The needs of pupils with mild learning difficulties can be met by the form teacher whereas pupils with more severe difficulties require assistance from special teachers.