Unmotivated and unwilling to learn DS13

[Cherrypie32]

DS is about to turn 13. He has always struggled with his learning and has recently had a dyslexia diagnosis. He attends school willingly, has friends and is polite, if quiet at home. But I feel that his learning difficulties have sapped him of any willingness to try and do something new or even continue with past hobbies. He definitely fears failure which also holds him back. He’s currently left with school then homework (which he hates doing) and then playing Fortnite. He’s good at this and therefore he sticks with it, even though I’m sure he’s very bored of it. I’ve tried suggesting learning a new skill related to this, perhaps editing or streaming. I’ve suggested he does some of voluntary ‘house’ comp school stuff which are often arty projects, getting into a graphics package or photography but this is just perceived as more dreaded homework. He stopped his sport of sailing I think because to progress he would have had to learn more, do courses etc. How do we turn it around?

Hi ,your son sounds very similar to how my son was .
Polite , had friends , no learning difficulties but just didn't seem motivated by school.
He went to 6th form , had to repeat maths and english as he just didn't seem bothered .
Quit college , joined an apprentice type scheme , got work experience that i think shocked him into a realisation that education is the key to future choices .
He is now into his 2nd year of university and is loving it.
He is very much loved , has a stable home with good role models /good friend in his life , but he was the one that had to make the the decision to improve things.
I think all you can do is guide , make suggestions without becoming a stuck record ! and hopefully he will find the right path in his life.
Every one is good at something , not everyones path is direct / straightforward ,also he is still so very young good ,kids seem to have a lot of pressure to make decisions at such a young age .
Good luck to him .

Ah thanks for your swift reply ts. He’s a good boy and his school is great for him. He is quite immature so you’re probably right that he will take time to understand the bigger picture and what learning can help him achieve. I think it’s the hobby type stuff that frustrates me the most. The unwillingness to try or be interested in something different or new.