teenager can't be bothered

[Kaz2200]

DD 16, has no interest in anything, has no idea what she wants to do and can't be bothered to do anything. She is at college doing a course that she's not bothered about as she has no idea what to do. She is a funny, pretty Street wise girl, not academic, slightly autistic, failed all GCSE apart from 2. All the family are working class and work really hard and we have a little money, so we have led by example, how do I help her?

[OneMagnumisneverenough]

What do you think she would be good at?

Maybe she would feel more motivated and enjoy things if she was good at them?

I'm not just thinking college here, what about trying to get some work/an apprenticeship, has she had a part time job in a shop or anything, does she like doing hair?

I'm nearly 49 and still haven't found what i want to do :) However, i came from a poor working class background too so not working was never an option. I just applied for anything and everything and found work i am pretty good at but isn't my dream job (I don't think going on the basis that if I wasn't paid, I wouldn't do it :) )

[Gymbob]

my dd sounds like a carbon copy, even down to the autistic traits.

she is going to college in September, but she is going to do her hobby there. I'm not sure it will get her anywhere, but at least she will enjoy it! she is horse mad, so is doing a very basic equine course.

my theory is that as she is extremely immature, she just needs a couple more years to mature. if that plan fails then I don't know!

does your girl have a hobby that she could do at college, or somewhere else?

[OneMagnumisneverenough]

Sorry, posted too soon. Was just going to say that maybe she is a late developer. My DH worked in a manual job from when he left school until his late 20s then went back to college, ended up doing a degree with OU and worked in an office for a bit, then decided to get a degree in nursing when he was in his 30s...and we'll stop it there and he has changed a few times again since :o

So my point being that not doing well in education at 16 doesn't mean that she shuts down her options forever.

[Northernsoul58]

There is a case to be made for just giving teens a bit of time to grow up before they 'decide what they want to do'. I was a late developer too and did all kinds of jobs and courses before ending up as a computer programmer in my 30s.
Maybe instead of focusing on any particular job or career, you could encourage her to think about what skills she might be able to develop while she is in college that she will be able to take into a job. Such as being able to talk to people. It's amazing how many people can't do this and how many employers value it.
Get her to look at life from a different perspective - that is, rather than being defined by a job title, instead seeing herself as a person who can do this, and this and this.... She'll grow up eventually. We all do.