Shift control device for an automatic transmission

The shift control device for an automatic transmission, which is used in a stepped automatic transmission that has a plurality of friction engagement elements, the states of engagement defining a plurality of respective power transmission paths in a speed change gear mechanism and the passages switched by switching an engagement between these friction engagement elements, the shift control device comprising: a control device which can control a downshift to a gear which is spaced by two or more steps through an intermediate shift stage, by separating and connecting of respective pairs of the plurality of friction engagement elements in a single switching of the engagement; characterized, in that the pairs of friction engagement elements are the following: a pair is disengaged from a first shift release, which is in an engaged state at a high shift stage on a side of a higher gear of the intermediate gear change step, and during a shift from the high speed to the intermediate shift stage, and a second shift release, which in a engaged state is at the high shift speed, the engagement ...