do people call you dumb when they don't understand you?

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I'm in science class(middle schooler) and I'm explaining half life to a "peer" and he doesn't understand so he simply says that I'm a ret*d and that nobody likes me. I had no idea what I did wrong.

Yes people do that all the time

That's a normal "middle school" reaction, caused by jealously. No reflection on you--trust me.

You will be very useful when you graduate college. If you keep at it, and don't drop out, you will get a good job. The emphasis on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) will be very strong in the coming years.

Yes it has happened often enough, but far more often people just think it and treat you as such without saying it.

I have also noticed this effect particularly when there is a wide gap between the IQ of one person and the other. Each will think the other is stupid.
It's a basic lack of understanding in communication.
Obviously it also happens between AS and NT individuals.

Welcome to WP.

It's happened to me a lot in elementary and high school. The R-word has become a very touchy word for me because of the context that young people have been using it, starting in the 1980s. I have this thing that if anybody calls me that word, I choose not to be their friend.

Happens a lot less than it used to, but yeah, it was really bad for me when I was your age

People have called me WRONG when they don't understand me. But that in some contexts is the same as dumb.

The "R" word promotes a punch in the face for the Utterer.

Was told there are three levels of insults people use to gain control.

First pick on you
"You're fat"
"You're ugly"

if that doesn't work, they go to step two: make it seem like EVERYONE thinks this way.
"Nobody likes you"
"Everyone talks about you"

if that doesn't work, they go to step three- physical threats of violence
"I'm going to beat you up!"
"Just wait till after school!"

He used two on you right away- he was trying to put you down to make himself feel better. Try not to let it get to you.

Welcome.

I think he got defensive when he couldn't wrap his head around what you were saying, so to make himself feel better, he lashed out at you and tried to cut you down. So basically what everyone has said.

I want to hear you explain half-life.

Not me. The only people I know are at work and they're not allowed to say that. They may think it but I don't think so. I'm seen as a smart computer programmer but then, what would I know? There have been so many times in life where I think someone is thinking one thing about me and they're actually thinking something else. For example, I once had this boss I thought he was happy with my work and he actually thought I was slacking off. I've since learned not to trust what I think they're thinking - in fact, I now just expect they're thinking the opposite of what I think they're thinking.

But I do know they know I can program like a machine!

for the OP's safety he needs to learn self-defense.

I really don't remember ever being called dumb in school. I was avoided, laughed at and even beat up but don't remember name calling.

As an adult the words I hear the most are 'crazy' or 'insane' if people don't understand what I'm talking about.