Speed-change control apparatus for automatic transmission

A control apparatus for an automatic transmission achieves a predetermined speed-change operation from sixth speed to third speed through a pre-phase speed-change operation in which a first engagement element (B1) and a third engagement element (C1) are released and engaged respectively and through a post-phase speed-change operation in which a second engagement element (C2) and a fourth engagement element (C3) are released and engaged respectively. The control apparatus sets a target rotational acceleration of an input shaft of the transmission, and controls release of the second engagement element for a transition to the post-phase speed-change operation in accordance with the target rotational acceleration. Thus, the input speed during the transition from the pre-phase speed-change operation to the post-phase speed-change operation changes continuously, so that bluntness is prevented from being caused between the pre-stage and post-stage speed-change operations.