The Boise and Meridian school districts failed to provide Matthew Abramowski with the special education he needed — and should pay to help him break the habits he picked up in school.

That claim is at the heart of a case in federal court in Boise. Jurors heard opening arguments Wednesday. Here are some quotes from Rebecca Boone of the Associated Press.

From Scott Learned, an attorney representing Abramowski, who has Asberger’s syndrome: “He’s socially isolated. He sees no need for organization, no need for meeting deadlines. He’s going to have to unlearn those strategies so new strategies can take their place … something the school districts should have been doing all along.”

From Nick Crawford, an attorney representing the school districts: “Our job is to provide him reasonable accommodations to ensure he has equal access to an education — and it’s equal access in an educational setting. … The idea that these schools are charged with is to allow a student to participate in general education as much as possible.”

The trial is expected to run eight days, Boone reports.