I think that yes it is going to be hard to control that and they should probably hire an expert. I guess for now just show him lots of love so that he's able to recognize who the person is by touch (someone he's very close to) and just lightly hold his hands down when he tries to hit himself. But this should be left to experts.
I cant really gove you an answer,but what I can give you is a way to a solution, that is you have to find the anglde that you relate to or peaks your interest. A good paper is one that people get drawn into because it reaches them ln some way.As for me WW11 to me, I think of the holocaust and the effect it had on the survivors, their families and those who stood by and did nothing until it was too late.