Susan
Your son sounds like he may have some type of PDD(Pervasive Developmental Disorder.) Did he have language delays as a toddler? Any odd food preferences or unusual play with toys or other objects? Does he have a hard time understanding abstract concepts or answering questions such as "what do you want to be when you grow up? How do you feel when you are sad? Why do people get married?" Does he seem to have "selective hearing?" sometimes not answering or avoiding eye contact? What does he say about his friends? what do they say about him? Does he understand that he is upset about something unimportant? Do little changes in the routine (taking a different road home, making an unexpected stop, running out of his favorite cereal,) throw him into a tailspin? Does he have a hard time waiting and understanding other's feelings? Does he seem very smart in some areas(remembering road maps, numbers, facts and figures,) but have difficulty with understanding what a story is about? If so, I would contact the major medical centers in your area and check state agencies in your state to see if any provide services or diagnosis to individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders. If this is what he has, he needs special accomodations at school and extra help learning how to interact with others, not punishment. There are many forms of autism, hence the term "Autism Spectrum Disorder". Many people with autism and it's variants are very intelligent and appear"normal" until their behavior makes them stand out. People with autism can learn to cope with their disability but they need lots of help and understanding. You may also wish to contact the Autism Society of America.