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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The term "Total Communication" and its specific philosophy were first used by Roy Holcomb in 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]}

• Bilingual-bicultural education