{{Short description|Approach to augmentative/alternative communication that uses a combination of methods}} {{Multiple issues|{{Globalize|section|date=November 2020}} {{More footnotes|date=May 2013}} {{Expand French|date=March 2024|topic=cult}}}} '''Total communication''' ('''TC''') is an approach to communicating that aims to make use of a number of modes of communication such as signed, oral, auditory, written and visual aids, depending on the particular needs and abilities of the person.

==History== The term "Total Communication" and its specific philosophy were first used by Roy Holcomb as part of a group of educators in southern California.<ref>Holcomb, R. K. (1970). The Total Approach: Beginning and structure. In R. Madebrink (Ed.) (1972). ''Proceedings of the International Congress on Education of the Deaf, Stockholm, 1970.''. Stockholm, Sweden: International Congress on Education of the Deaf, pp. 104-107.</ref><ref>Nagengast, Larry. (1973) Deafness no handicap to newcomer. ''The Morning News'' (September 4, 1973), p. 11.</ref> It was adopted by the Maryland school as the official name for their educational philosophy.{{When|date=November 2020}} TC was supposed to find a middle ground in age-old disputes between oralism and manualism, and as an alternative to simultaneous communication.{{Citation needed|date=November 2020|reason=Where is this documented?}} In practice, however, most total communication programs use some form of simultaneous communication.{{Citation needed|date=November 2020|reason=Where is this documented? Which reference?}}

==See also== * Bilingual-bicultural education

==References== {{Reflist}}

== Further reading == * {{Cite Gallaudet Encyclopedia|title=Total Communication|last=Evans|first=Lionel|volume=3|pages=173–176}} * Lowenbraun, S., Appelman, K., & Callahan, J. (1980). ''Teaching the hearing impaired through total communication''. Columbus, OH: Charles E. Merrill. * Mayer, P. & Lowenbraun, S. (1990). ''Total communication use among elementary teachers of hearing-impaired children''. American Annals of the Deaf, 135, 257–263. * Moores, D. F. (1996). ''Educating the deaf''. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Co. * Schlesinger, H. (1986). "Total communication in perspective". In D. M. Luterman (Ed.), ''Deafness in Perspective'' (pp.&nbsp;87–116). College-Hill Press: San Diego, CA. * Scouten, E. (1984). ''Turning points in the education of deaf people''. Danville, IL: The Interstate Printers and Publishers, Inc.

==External links== * [https://web.archive.org/web/20170219181908/http://www.ericdigests.org/1998-2/total.htm Total Communication]- The ERIC Clearinghouse on Disabilities and Gifted Education, USA. * [https://web.archive.org/web/20051230010927/http://www.healthyhearing.com/library/interview_content.asp?interview_id=725 Interview with David Denton]

Category:Augmentative and alternative communication

{{Comm-stub}}