Total communication

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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.

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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. [1] [2] It was adopted by the Maryland school as the official name for their educational philosophy.[ when? ] 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 ] In practice, however, most total communication programs use some form of simultaneous communication.[ citation needed ]

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References

  1. 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.
  2. Nagengast, Larry. (1973) Deafness no handicap to newcomer. The Morning News (September 4, 1973), p. 11.