Maybe you could find some toys (like legos, knex, etc) that he can take apart. Every time he starts to take something apart he shouldn't, give him one of those building toys. He may be taking things apart to see how they work. Hang in there!

Trust me, I really am very encouraging and loving with him. If it looks in any way like it can be taken apart, he will. I agree it’s most likely a sensory thing, I just wish I could get him to understand that some things just aren’t meant to be taken apart.

so what happens after he breaks those pieces ... does he cry? does he look for another object to take apart? What type of objects does he lean to break apart?

I am guessing this too soon. I think it is sensory related - some children like to line things up ... in your child's case, he likes to take things apart.

Assuming it is sensory related, you may need to spend more time giving him praises ... when he uses those object well. Example ... I like that you are holding the pieces. I like that you stop and think before break it apart.

By giving him more compliment, he realized that he gets more of your attention when he does more good / acceptable behaviors.

Don't give him attention when he took it apart. Limit those items because at present, it is highly reinforcing.

He is verbal, but he has cognitive disfunction as well. He works with a speech therapist at the school he goes to, because there’s still a lot of stuff we can’t understand. He’s not really able to tell me why. I’ve tried in the past to tell him to not break or take something apart before giving it to him, and also not saying anything before (in case I put the thought in his head). Nothing works. It’s very frustrating.

is he verbal? can he explain himself well?