Has anyone else got a 16 year old with no plans for after GCSEs?

[HoobleDooble]

its just as the title says really, my DS has ADHD and Autism, has really struggled with school for the past 11 years and refuses to enter into conversations about college, 6th form and so on. After a whole year of school refusal I’m proud that he’s taking his English, Maths and Science GCSEs and did surprisingly well on his mocks. He doesn’t seem to have a clue what he wants to do next but is absolutely certain he’s done with any kind of formal education. I’ve looked at a few practical apprenticeships but they’d all require him to take public transport which I’m pretty sure he wouldn’t cope with. He doesn’t leave the house alone except to go to the shop at the end of the street.

Im just so worried I’m going to end up with a man child living in my back bedroom forever. It seems like every other child in his year has somewhere to go in September except for him.

Let him focus on his exams. Then see how his results are. Then help him plan. He can approach colleges on results day and apply for apprenticeships when his exams are over. It's probably overwhelming at the moment, his exams should be his priority right now, no need to worry yet

My 17 year old son with autism left school last year with zero GCSE’s and has done nothing since. I think he’s left the house 3 times so far this year.
I’ve been trying to encourage him onto a course that does independent living skills but he won’t engage.
His plan is basically to exist in his bedroom.

His school should be helping with this. They have to report to the local authority what every student is doing and the LA will chase up anyone who is not in education or training.

That's not correct unfortunately. The whole "they must be in full time education, apprenticeship or training" is a bit of a myth and never followed up by anyone.
Working in FE we have learners starting courses as late as October half term, some in the same position as your son OP. Please don't stress yet, get his exams and results out of the way and then approach it

Is it worth working on the inability to take public transport else you possibly will end up with a bedroom dwelling man child on benefit. What can't he handle about buses? Noise cancelling headphones may help and someone going with him to familiarise with routes.

Talk consistently like he's going to be doing something(when you are at college/ when you've got an apprenticeship) but let him concentrate on gcse work at the moment. You can research the suitable courses etc at local colleges quietly in the background so you know what's available and drip in the info, work on independence skills where you can and try not to add too much stress .