Those who have APD tend to be quiet or shy, even withdrawn from mainstream society due to their communication problems, and the lack of understanding of these problems by their peers.
One who fails to process any part of the communication of others may be unable to comprehend what is being communicated. This has some obvious social and educational implication, which can cause a lack of understanding from others. In adults this can lead to persistent interpersonal relationship problems.
APD shares some of these signs with related disorders, which may have other overlap areas, such as acquired brain injury, attention deficits, dyslexia, learning difficulties, hearing loss, and psychologically-based behavioral problems.
APD may be related to cluttering, a fluency disorder marked by word and phrase repetitions.