This is really helpful advice, thank you. I love the idea of him practicing feeling empowered and feel like if he acknowledges it first it should reduce the number of times other kids bring it up. The worst day he had he was playing with a friend and getting stuck when he was trying to call for me. The little girl did not mean to be hurtful but she modeled how to say mama as if he was a baby trying to learn. That night was the first time he became self conscious and started asking “what is wrong with me? Why can’t I talk?” I wish I had known how to intervene in that moment but I’ve learned a lot since then.