Activities for an young autistic person who isn’t sure what to do

Its a good idea if he does something productive, something that mimics a job and provide opportunities.  I don't know his abilities or focus levels, or what might appeal, so its difficult - might be an idea to set him a task to do, google for ideas of things to do or get into. Something might jump out at him that he wouldn't normally think of.  I was into electronics and computers growing up, that got me in to an apprenticeship in electronics because I was able to show I had interest and knowledge they needed.

He has an iPad so you can do productive things with that like learning digital drawing/painting, photography, animation (stop animation can be good fun, or cartoons), online courses to learn about things, make music, make videos, put a website together.  He could put things like photos or videos on social media and that can help you connect with people.

Many hobbies can be expensive and out of reach, so making the most of what you already have is best - and focus on affordable hobbies.  

I went through school and college with social anxiety and selective mutism, I just did the learning and got through it - Chris Packham the autistic naturalist and TV presenter went through school and university that way, but his passion got him through and it led to a successful career.

We are all different of course, but role models can help - if he goes online and reads and watches videos of autistic people around his age, that might encourage and motivate him, give him ideas.

Creative hobbies are best, where you learn to do something and then get the reward of making progress and completing it.  You learn skills and build confidence that you can do things, and something to offer employers or self-employment if that is more appropriate.

Thanks Autimator - these are really helpful suggestions - thank you so much for taking the time to reply. I really like your idea of Animation - I think that might really appeal to him. Do you know of any good apps or websites that would be a good place to start if he wanted to try this? All the suggestions you make could be helpful though - thank you. I will share these with him. 

I’m sorry that you experienced Selective Mutism at school too - it really is such a difficult thing to have to cope with. It’s made life so difficult for my son - he has struggled with it throughout his whole education. It was so incredibly difficult to get good support for him with this. 
We really like Chris Packham too - he’s a very inspiring person and has achieved so much. 

I don't have an ipad, or into animation myself, so can't recommend any apps, but I know there are animation apps as seen websites and videos about then.  Either google for ipad animation apps and see what people recommend, or search the app store.

It can be difficult to know what is down to social anxiety and whats down to selective mutism, and my parents didn't try and help me with it, and I didn't know I could get help so it stuck with me and still affected though less so.  Autistic people will tell you that talking about work things and things you know or interested in can be much easier, sometimes too easy an nobody else can get a word in, but when people want to do small talk or talk about something you don't know then you struggle or dry up and its painful.

Social anxiety can be overcome by therapy or self-help books, learn to focus on others rather than your mind, think less and positively (self-coaching), develop confidence about talking and be OK with not talking, relax.  There can be help with selective mutism but its more specialist, its not caused by your thinking so normal therapy won't help - its involuntary, an automatic response usually to a situation or environment, sensory triggers.

There's also the classic autistic thing being stuck in your head, lost in thoughts or overwhelmed by anxiety and other feelings.  Not necessarily not wanting to talk, but by focusing on not talking will result in not talking - strangely enough.

I've never been by myself to the lake district as a trip, went 3 times for training courses, and 3/4 times with a partner, and only once to escape.  Not been to Cornwall by myself either, only with family or partner.  I very much haven't done trips or holidays by myself, apart from visiting events like motor racing a couple of times.  I have set goals to go walking by myself, but things to work on.  I walk to nearby lanes and fields, which helps, and bit of wildlife, but not really escaping or much of a challenge.

I love your account of going to the Lake District! I used to go there a lot - and at one time considered moving there to live. These days Cornwall is the place I tend to escape to - when I can. I love the very early morning too - when everything is so quiet and there are no people around. And in the countryside the air feeling different in the very early morning. It’s wonderful.

like you say though - there are some realities you can’t run away from - and escape is no good if your worries travel with you. That’s what happened to me recently - and I felt worse as a result. 
ultimately we have to face our problems and deal with them. Not many can be just left behind and escaped. If only they could! But then I suppose we’d be always running, and never learn that we are in fact strong enough to solve our problems. 
Still - I’m sure you have fond memories of your Lake District trip - it sounds lovely to me. 

I love your account of going to the Lake District! I used to go there a lot - and at one time considered moving there to live. These days Cornwall is the place I tend to escape to - when I can. I love the very early morning too - when everything is so quiet and there are no people around. And in the countryside the air feeling different in the very early morning. It’s wonderful.

like you say though - there are some realities you can’t run away from - and escape is no good if your worries travel with you. That’s what happened to me recently - and I felt worse as a result. 
ultimately we have to face our problems and deal with them. Not many can be just left behind and escaped. If only they could! But then I suppose we’d be always running, and never learn that we are in fact strong enough to solve our problems. 
Still - I’m sure you have fond memories of your Lake District trip - it sounds lovely to me. 

I've never been by myself to the lake district as a trip, went 3 times for training courses, and 3/4 times with a partner, and only once to escape.  Not been to Cornwall by myself either, only with family or partner.  I very much haven't done trips or holidays by myself, apart from visiting events like motor racing a couple of times.  I have set goals to go walking by myself, but things to work on.  I walk to nearby lanes and fields, which helps, and bit of wildlife, but not really escaping or much of a challenge.