Which step involves diagnosing and determining the severity of a speech disorder?

The step that involves diagnosing and determining the severity of a speech disorder is best represented by the process of designing and administering an assessment protocol. This step encompasses a comprehensive collection of data through various assessments that are intended to identify the nature of the speech disorder and its severity.

In this context, when professionals design assessments, they thoughtfully select the methods and tools to gather relevant information, which ultimately leads to an accurate diagnosis. This includes standardized tests, observational measures, and case history, among other assessment techniques. The goal is to gather enough evidence to determine the type of disorder present and how significantly it impacts communication abilities.

While the options mentioned, such as diagnosis and characterize, refer to important aspects of evaluating speech disorders, they do not encapsulate the entire protocol development and execution process that ensures a thorough examination and accurate assessment of the speech disorder. The determination of severity is ultimately a conclusion drawn from the comprehensive assessment designed and administered during this critical step.